Increased Urine Protein is Associated with White Coat Hypertension

According to a recent study elevated levels of protein in the urine can be linked to an increased risk of white coat hypertension.

Protein in urine may often be the earliest sign of diabetic kidney damage. Several diseases and conditions can cause increased levels of protein in urine, included chronic kidney failure, diabetes, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension) or pregnancy.

White coat hypertension – elevated blood pressure in the physician's office - occurs approximately 25-30 percent of people. In case of white coat hypertension the blood pressure recorded in the physician's office is above 140/90 mmHg, while the average daytime blood pressure is below 135/85 mmHg, which is considered to be normal.

Why ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is indispensable tool to diagnose white coat hypertension?

Failing to identify white coat hypertension may result in inappropriate medical treatment for elevated blood pressure. However, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) the risk associated with increased blood pressure is continuous, with each 2 mmHg rise in systolic blood pressure linked to a 7 percent increased risk of mortality from ischaemic heart disease and a 10 percent increased risk of mortality from stroke.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring makes it possible to obtain blood pressure readings over 24 hours, whilst the patient is outside clinical environment. In this way his blood pressure readings reflects 'true' blood pressure values.

Generally, ambulatory blood pressure monitors are programmed and used for 24 hours, but in certain cases, the ambulatory blood pressure monitor itself can be programmed for 27 hours. This extension in time makes it possible to identify white coat hypertension, as the first hours of the examination can easily be filtered and analysed.

Meditech is an EU-based developer of quality ambulatory blood pressure monitors and related software solutions. If you need more information on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in general or on Meditech ABPM-05 ambulatory blood pressure monitor specifically, click here to contact the manufacturer.