High Blood Pressure and White Coat Syndrome in America

Introduction 

High blood pressure affects significant number of American society and it affects different people irrespective of their gender and age. The normal blood pressure is supposed to be 120/80 mph mercury and when it exceeds this value a person is said to be suffering from hypertension (Yuli, et.al, 2017). Stress and anxiety are the common factors that influence rise on the pressure of the blood in people. There are incidences of individuals who suffer from white coat syndrome where they have normal blood pressure in their home environment but which significantly rise when they visit hospitals (Yuli, et.al, 2017). White coat syndrome and high pressure affecting the American society results to risks of heart and stroke diseases but there are efforts by government to address the problem. 

Demographics of High Blood Pressure and White Coat Syndrome 

High blood pressure in clinical setting is experienced by a significant number of adults who visit clinics. About 30% of this population that is older than 60 years of age register high pressure when they visit hospitals as compared to their home environment (Tanner, et.al, 2016). Therefore, the problem is usually associated with individuals who are above 60 years. The problem in the youths is significantly lower with less than 20% suffering from the problem (Tanner, et.al, 2016). In terms of gender the problem is more prevalent in women as compared to men. Women are known to be relatively anxious in hospital setting thus influencing the observed rise in pressure (Tanner, et.al, 2016). However, in terms of race white coast syndrome is not associated with any particular race. 

Social Determinants of High Blood Pressure and White Syndrome 

There are different social factors that influence the problem of white coat syndrome. One major social factor is smoking trend of the society (Yuli, et.al, 2017). Individuals who usually smoke are at higher risks of suffering from the problem of high blood pressure. Actually, when smokers visit hospitals without prior smoking they suffer from anxiety which influences increased blood pressure. Further, individuals with lowered physical activities and especially those with obesity have higher risks of suffering from white coat syndrome (Yuli, et.al, 2017). The impact is due to the constricted blood vessels in the identified people which makes movement of blood difficult (Yuli, et.al, 2017). Further, family history also influences the possibility of individuals suffering from high blood pressure when they visit hospitals. Members of families which are in constant conflict are also likely to suffer from white coat syndrome due to increased anxiety from their homes. 

Community Infrastructure Variable on High Blood Pressure and White Coat Syndrome 

There are different infrastructure variables that influence the incidences of white coat syndrome and high blood pressure. One such variable is nervousness that is related to patient who visits doctors in their heath care centers (American College of Cardiology, 2017). The individuals who fear needles whenever they visit they develop anxiety influencing high blood pressure. Further, stress related to work environment also contribute to the problems. Further, loss of loved ones influences the observed problem when any of their relatively visit hospitals. Another variable identified with the problem is constant alcohol taking before going to the hospitals. Drunkards are more likely to experience high metabolism activities in their body and once they visit hospitals significantly register high pressure (American College of Cardiology, 2017). Such individuals are also anxious about their condition and when they see doctors in their white coats they suffer from increased pressure. 

Analysis of Surveillance Data Collected For Risk Assessment 

The government in America has partnered with health institutions to respond to the significant number of patients suffering from white coat syndrome. It is reported that more pediatric nephrologists have been tasked with the role of carrying out extensive diagnostic evaluation on patients who visit their hospitals (Miyashta, et.al, 2017). Currently, about 15% of the patients undergo through the evaluation which prompts the government to intervene to increase this percentage (Miyashta, et.al, 2017). The methods that have been recommended by the government include laboratory studies and echocardiography (Miyashta, et.al, 2017). The tests are aimed at ensuring that gyrated hemoglobin is tested in the blood to check for possible metabolic syndrome. The government has identified that such tests are necessary to identify specific factors that could be connected to the white coat syndrome. The impact is an empowered health sector that responds to risks that could be contributing to high blood pressure. Further, the government is urging the public to change their lifestyle and ensure they become more active to avoid such health problems (Miyashta, et.al, 2017). The patients are also provided with relaxation techniques when they visit health centers to reduce their anxiety thus having normal blood pressure. 

Quality Assessment and Utility of High Blood Pressure 

Quality assessment of patients is being offered by the government through trained professionals who ensure that patients are relaxed when they visit hospitals. There are also programs of training patients who visit hospitals to ensure that they are not anxious (Cobos, et.al, 2015). The impact is a society that feels free to attend hospitals and is able to open their problems the doctors. Through the government, hospitals are also offering counseling sessions for patients to reduce incidences of stress. Through the counseling the patients are also trained on best lifestyle skills that encourage physical activities. The medical practitioners guides the patients on the risks involved with high levels of anxiety on their health (Cobos, et.al, 2015). The patients are also encouraged to carry constant blood pressure measures to ensure they seek medical help whenever they find it going out of specified range. 

Risks Outcomes of High blood Pressure and White Coat Syndrome

A continuous incidence of white blood syndrome and high blood pressure poses the patient to the risk of cardiovascular daises. The patients suffers from heart diseases which could eventually result to their death if it is not handled in time (CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention), 2018). Further, individuals with the problems are more likely to suffer from incidences of diabetes which also threatens their health. In extreme situations such persons suffer from stroke where some of their body parts fails to respond (CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention), 2018). The impact is an individual who cannot be able to do most of the things for themselves. In short term there are problems of severe headache that is suffered by individuals with white coat syndrome or high blood pressure. 

Screening Tool for High Blood Pressure 

Height to blood pressures ratio is an appropriate screening tool that is used in detecting incidences of high blood pressure in a population (Chunming, et.al, 2016). The tool compares the height of an individuals with the actual pressure registered in their blood. The ratio is used to determine whether such an individual suffers from high blood pressure. When the ratio between these two factors is high such persons are diagnosed with high pressure. The tool is indeed reliable based on its relative easier way to use where a physician only measures the height then divides it with the pressure of their patient (Chunming, et.al, 2016). Further, the validity is based on its ability to give specific ratios which are compared with normal ratio in individuals with proper blood pressures. It is therefore recommendable that medical practitioners embrace the tool when determining whether patients have normal blood pressure. 

Conclusion 

The problem of high blood pressure is persistent in the American society with some people noted to suffer from white coat syndrome. Some individuals register high pressure once they are in hospital settings due to anxiety. The problem of white coat syndrome is usually related with the old and also individuals who smoke. The government is encouraging medics to ensure that they guide their patients on need to relax to ensure that they reduce nervousness which contribute to high blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure face the risks of diseases such as stroke and heart problems. Screening of individuals through use of height to blood pressure ratio is relevant in determining possibility of high blood pressure. Such information is necessary in seeking medication early before the situation deteriorates and cause death. 

References

Tanner, R. M., Shimbo, D., Seals, S. et.al. (2016). The White-coat Effect Among Older Adults: Data from the Jackson Heart Study. Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich). 18(2): 139-145.

Miyashta, Y., Flynn, J. T. & Hanevold, C. D. (2017). Diagnosis And Management Of White‐Coat Hypertension In Children And Adolescents: A Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium Study. Journal of Clinical Hypertension. 19(9): 884-889

Chunming, M., Yue, L., Qiang, L. et.al. (2016). The Performance Of Blood Pressure-To-Height Ratios; A Screening Measure For Identifying Children and Adolescents With Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis. Blood Pressure Monitoring. 21(1): 43-48

CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention). (2018). High Blood Pressure Facts. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

Cobos, B., Haskard-Zolnierek, K. & Howard, K. (2015). White Coat Hypertension: Improving The Patient–Health Care Practitioner Relationship. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 8(1): 133–141. 

American College of Cardiology. (2017). 2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from: https://healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Detailed-Summary.pdf

Yuli; H., Weijun, H., Weiyi, M. et.al. (2017). White-Coat Hypertension Is A Risk Factor For Cardiovascular Diseases And Total Mortality. Journal of Hypertension. 35(4): 677-688.