Let me explain this for those of you scratching your heads and wondering what I’m talking about. White coat syndrome is what happens when you have your blood pressure taken at the local hospital or GP’s surgery.
Hypertension can look a lot more hyper when the patient is feeling tense, which is quite common in these settings.
Somewhat concerned at the numbers on my last hospital visit, I decided to get another blood pressure reading at Tesco. While a supermarket pharmacy isn’t exactly my idea of a new age yoga parlour, it is a much more relaxed setting than anywhere you’ll find people wearing white coats or scrubs.
Needless to say, the readings I got at Tesco were much lower. Every little helps. But I wonder what they’d have looked like if I had another test after I attempted to communicate them to my GP. Trying to talk with one’s GP can these days resemble an assault course set to canned music even if you’re lucky enough to have a good doctor (and I wouldn’t surrender mine for a lottery win).
Long telephone waits, disembodied voices telling you you’re twelfth in the queue for two hours straight, getting hung up on when you finally do get through and then starting back at twelfth. I’m not exaggerating – not much, anyway.
This story is from the May 24, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 24, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England's selection issues in a defining year for Stokes
England’s busiest year of Test cricket finished with a bang. Just not the type they were after.
Jesus scores hat-trick to secure Arsenal comeback
Gabriel Jesus scored a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal staged an impressive fightback to book their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace.
Reds survive late surge to reach Carabao Cup semis
After a full and imposing pre-season under his belt, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott had lofty ambitions this season. Could he crack a regular starting spot? The diminutive left-footed playmaker, signed amid so much promise from Fulham five years ago, certainly would not have anticipated his first start of the season coming in mid-December. But on a torrential night on the south coast, Elliott shone brightest as the Carabao Cup holders, ultimately, sneaked through at Southampton last night.
Rashford's love affair with Man Utd nears its sad end
Forward ready for a new challenge’ after baffling slump
Inflation is up again... and it's fired by 'greedflation'
With inflation jumping to 2.6 per cent, is it time to start discussing \"greedflation\"? This was a hot topic a year ago when critics said companies were failing to pass on the falling costs they were benefitting from as inflation came down. Even the Bank of England voiced concern.
Edgar-Jones misses mark in Tennessee Williams classic
The star of 'Normal People' fails to achieve emotional lift-off in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' stage return, writes Alice Saville
Fergie may be the key to a peaceful palace Christmas
When it comes to royal ructions, Prince Andrew is the gift that keeps on giving. Step forward someone not traditionally known for being the voice of calm, writes Harry Mount
It's no Holiday living in a 'perfect' Cotswolds cottage
If the classic Christmas romcom makes you fantasise about moving to a beautiful old house in the countryside, then Simon Mills, who just did that, has this warning for you
This 'cuspy Waspi' woman is furious at Labour's deceit
\"I've always been pleased that I was born at the end of the Fifties. It was a time when you could easily get a GP appointment, and when schools had new buildings. War-time rationing was over. Clothes were colourful, toys were plentiful, and I had the Sixties music of The Beatles, Dusty Springfield and The Monkees as the soundtrack of my childhood.
Musk-Farage meeting hands a political gift to Starmer
The talks between Nigel Farage and Elon Musk at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida have highlighted the urgent need to reform the UK's archaic rules on how political parties are funded. No money for Reform UK was agreed and Farage described reports of a $100m donation by Musk as \"for the birds\".
