Page 33 - Boca ViewPointe - November '23

November 2023
Healthy Answers – A Guide To Healthy Living:
‘Anything But White Please!’
By Dale Brown, B.S.,
M.A., C.E.C. Dale is a
motivational speaker who
has spent many years as a
Certified Life Coach and has
written numerous articles
and e-books relating to self-
improvement and ways to
build a high-performance
team. She is the author of
the book, Small Steps...
Big Changes: The Personal
Stories of a Life Coach. Her education and years of
experience in physical fitness and training of elite athletes
has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge in many health- evident, but it’s definitely linked to physiological anxiety.
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Viewpointe, Page 33
related areas. The following introduces a new approach to I have been a victim of “white coat” for many years.
Brown’s series of columns devoted to many topics that deal I’m not sure what triggers my stress, but it could possibly
with the mind/body connection and the importance of living stem from childhood influences. My father was not a
a healthy lifestyle. Dale, a Bocaire resident, can be reached fan of doctors, and he made it known to all of us in our
at dalebrown@lovingmondays.com. family. He was more inclined to find home remedies for
any minor ailments we might have. Rarely did we visit a
Is there an unwritten rule that says doctors must wear doctor unless it was something serious, which of course
a white coat? caused increased nervousness.
Maybe not as much anymore, but this attire has been a It’s important to note, however, that “white coat
long-standing tradition in the medical profession. This may syndrome” doesn’t necessarily indicate a fear of doctors
account for the association of doctors and the term “white coat per se, but rather a subconscious response to the unknown
syndrome” (also known as white coat hypertension). The mere consequences of the medical experience. Other elements
mention of a doctor appointment can create apprehension may add to a negative effect of doctor visit anxiety. I’ve
and worry. The underlying reason may not be intentionally never understood why doctors always take your blood
pressure the minute you walk into their office. After
rushing to make your appointment on time, then sitting
in a cold waiting room, you’re ushered into the next stop:
the nurse with the dreaded blood pressure cuff. “Oh, I
see your pressure is running a bit high today!” Well, no
kidding!
When “white coat” does occur, a person’s blood
pressure may rise in a doctor’s office or hospital due
to nervousness. This elevated blood pressure reading
may not accurately represent a person’s usual blood
Make Reservations happy hour pressure and can lead to misdiagnosis or overtreatment
Mon. - Thurs. of hypertension. This is why it’s so important to measure
blood pressure in a relaxed, non-medical setting to obtain
at Bar Only all Day a more accurate assessment.
Mon. - Fri. 3 - 6 pm Is it possible to overcome “white coat syndrome?”
This is a Yes and No answer. You might never rid
Lunch SpeciaLS yourself of this issue, but there are things you can do to
alleviate the results and stress.
every Day Here are some strategies that might help:
Talk distraction: Bring along a friend who loves to
starting at 11 talk! Whenever my husband goes with me, my blood
$
pressure drops to normal levels. By talking to me and
making me laugh, he distracts my mind. If you’re going
it alone, you might look into cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT), which is a type of talk therapy that can help
individuals change their thought patterns and behaviors
related to medical visits.
Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises,
meditation and progressive muscle relaxation can help
you manage anxiety and reduce stress. Practicing these
techniques before and during a medical appointment can
be beneficial.
Exercise modifications: Regular physical activity
and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage
blood pressure overall. Studies have typically shown
that aerobic or cardio exercises are best for lowering
blood pressure. For those of you who are not into cardio
workouts, there’s good news.
New research suggests that exercises that engage
WANDER muscles without movement may be an effective tool to
prevent and treat hypertension, such as wall squats and
planks. This type of training, known as isometric, or
static, exercise allows the muscles to contract and joints
Operating as to remain stationary, facilitating stability of the body. By
combining both cardio and isometric exercise, the chance
of lowering your blood pressure reading is even greater.
Home monitoring: The best way to be sure your
blood pressure is within a healthy range is to invest in an
automatic blood pressure monitor. Taking your pressure at
home can provide a more accurate picture of your blood
pressure outside of medical settings.
Keep in mind that readings vary throughout the day
and can depend on factors such as hydration and stress.
I was advised to try and take a reading the same time
each day – for example, first thing in the morning. The
ranges and numbers that indicate high, low and normal
blood pressure vary based on your age. Check with your
doctor for the reading that’s best for you.
Speak up: Give your doctor a heads-up. Explain your
anxiety and that he not be surprised to find an elevated
Complimentary first reading when you’re there for an appointment. Suggest
office visit
AND he/she take it again at the end of your exam after you’ve
had a chance to settle down and feel at ease. Share your
$ 5 off your first home measurements to track your overall blood pressure
.00
grooming and spa day on a daily basis.
It’s important to work with a healthcare professional
to address “white coat syndrome” as they can provide
personalized guidance and tailor interventions to your
specific needs. Over time, with the right strategies and
support, many people can manage or even overcome
Phone: 561-447-7966 the anxiety and elevated blood pressure associated with
“white coat syndrome.” 
Fax: 561-447-8868
info@FurYourPawsOnly.com