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Thread: high blood pressure / white coat syndrome - what can I do now?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
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    New Zealand
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    7

    Default high blood pressure / white coat syndrome - what can I do now?

    Repeated blood pressure readings at the doctor's office were high and a bit erratic (145/105 ; 175/90 ; 150/85, etc) - but seeing as I'm 29 and all the rest of my tests, incl an extra ACR/urine test came back normal - he advised that this was likely white coat syndrome, and that the bp spikes were likely anxiety around immigration. His recommendations were diet/exercise and re-test in a month - and even if my bp remained high, he would not recommend any medications given my age and good health.

    Since the bp was high though, my application is likely bound for the MA - is there anything else I can do? (Even if I follow diet/exercise, which I will - why would my blood pressure lower in a month when my visa application would still be pending? It almost seems like more pressure!) Thank you!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Korea
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    123

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    Quote Originally Posted by Harbinger3 View Post
    Repeated blood pressure readings at the doctor's office were high and a bit erratic (145/105 ; 175/90 ; 150/85, etc) - but seeing as I'm 29 and all the rest of my tests, incl an extra ACR/urine test came back normal - he advised that this was likely white coat syndrome, and that the bp spikes were likely anxiety around immigration. His recommendations were diet/exercise and re-test in a month - and even if my bp remained high, he would not recommend any medications given my age and good health.

    Since the bp was high though, my application is likely bound for the MA - is there anything else I can do? (Even if I follow diet/exercise, which I will - why would my blood pressure lower in a month when my visa application would still be pending? It almost seems like more pressure!) Thank you!
    For what it's worth, I remember having my pressure taken a little over a year ago and it being high, and the staff trying again and again, as it was necessary for some kind of clearance where I live. Had me all worried, but of course being a bit late for the appointment, having just had blood taken before the BP test, and motocycling through morning traffic in a busy city didn't help.

    In the end, I was worried enough that I got a home testing kit and learned more about it. First couple of times I tried it was high again still, oh boy, this was bad news. Then I did what you are supposed to do and sit around for 5 mins first, after not having done anything abnormal, etc, and just got used to the test - and my BP ended up normal. I think now if I were in a clinic again it'd probably be no problem. Emotions and psychology? Seems so in my case

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    UK->NZ
    Posts
    118

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    Have you tried asking the doctor for 24 hr blood pressure monitoring? I know relatives who have suffered white coat syndrome at doctor visits so the doctor asked them to have 24 hr blood pressure monitoring. The device will auto-inflate during 24 hr and takes measurements throughout the whole day including while you sleep. Perhaps that will convince your doctor that you do not suffer high blood pressure? For myself, I have high blood pressure but it is under control with medication so I passed my medical and got residence visa. So high blood pressure itself is not a deal breaker for residence visa.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    New Zealand
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    12

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    I would like to share my experience with those who have elevated blood pressure at the Doctors.

    First I applied for graduate job search visa. During my medical examination I had high blood pressure. My medical was referred to MEdical assessor. After a wait I got my visa without any additional tests.
    Recently I was applying for another work visa. My medical was referred again. But this time, they asked for additional blood tests and later on for a specialist report. As Now I have got a BP monitor, I can check BP at home, and figures are fine.
    At The doctor's my BP was again elevated ( 170/102; 160/smth). 24 hour BP monitoring showed my figures are normal. After this procedure I got a specialist report that was enough to get through medical assessors and get my visa eventually.

    I had never heard of "white coat syndrome" before I came across this problem here. I guess it is a pressure we all experience when going through visa application procedures. But of course it is not normal the way my body reacts. Need to work on myself, change lifestyle, etc.

    If you normally don't experience high blood pressure, but at doctors you do, you are likely to have a white coat syndrome. If you know you had elevated figures during medical examination, I would recommend to buy BP monitor to check if you are fine and have 24hour BP monitoring even before your medicals are sent to MA.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Hamilton
    Posts
    89

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hospo View Post
    I would like to share my experience with those who have elevated blood pressure at the Doctors.

    First I applied for graduate job search visa. During my medical examination I had high blood pressure. My medical was referred to MEdical assessor. After a wait I got my visa without any additional tests.
    Recently I was applying for another work visa. My medical was referred again. But this time, they asked for additional blood tests and later on for a specialist report. As Now I have got a BP monitor, I can check BP at home, and figures are fine.
    At The doctor's my BP was again elevated ( 170/102; 160/smth). 24 hour BP monitoring showed my figures are normal. After this procedure I got a specialist report that was enough to get through medical assessors and get my visa eventually.

    I had never heard of "white coat syndrome" before I came across this problem here. I guess it is a pressure we all experience when going through visa application procedures. But of course it is not normal the way my body reacts. Need to work on myself, change lifestyle, etc.

    If you normally don't experience high blood pressure, but at doctors you do, you are likely to have a white coat syndrome. If you know you had elevated figures during medical examination, I would recommend to buy BP monitor to check if you are fine and have 24hour BP monitoring even before your medicals are sent to MA.
    Thanks for sharing that. Did your doctor mention in the medical that you have high bp. Is that your medical was sent to MA and how much time did MA took to come back to you and pass your medical? Please advise

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    12

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    Quote Originally Posted by sunny_singh305 View Post
    Thanks for sharing that. Did your doctor mention in the medical that you have high bp. Is that your medical was sent to MA and how much time did MA took to come back to you and pass your medical? Please advise
    Overall I had a pretty long journey.
    I applied 11 November 2016. Case officer contacted me on 20th of February, 2017 and asked to provide additional tests, BP and a list of medications (but I dont have any medication). They give 2 weeks to collect required information.
    My GP submitted my tests on 7th of February. He did write that my BP was elevated. CO received reply from MA in 2 weeks. That is when they asked for a specialist report and another test. Again I was supposed to provide information in 2 weeks, but I submitted later. This time it took MA 3 or 4 weeks to answer.

    as far as I understood it takes approximately 2 weeks from the due date u r supposed to provide additional medicals. But I am not sure they (MA) really have particular timeframe.

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