Dr. Gott: White-coat syndrome hurts job prospects

Dear Dr. Gott: Although I’m basically in good health as I near 63, I have a problem that is quite common. It’s called white-coat syndrome, or white-coat hypertension.

Of course, I believe there is no health risk with this psychological problem, but after losing my job over a year ago and also losing my marketable skills to computers, I lost out on two decent jobs that required physicals – all due to high blood-pressure readings.

At one time, when it was thought that I had hypertension, I was put on atenolol, which brought my pressure to readings in the area of 90/59.

I have my own monitor at home. So, after some time with low readings, I returned to a clinic that specializes in Department of Transportation physicals, only to be rejected again for high readings while on my medication.

I had my monitor checked out, and it was right on the mark. I realized then that it was the pressure not to fail that was causing my pressure to rise.

I often give blood to the Red Cross and usually have good readings when they take my pressure.

I recently read an article on hypertension in pets. Dogs and cats also can have white-coat hypertension, so it is suggested to leave them at the clinic for four or five hours to let them relax, while a human, trying to earn a living, is given only a few minutes to get the pressure down.

That’s even after explaining I have white-coat syndrome.

So, here is my question. Is there any anti-anxiety medication a person can take while going for a physical that would be beneficial for a blood-pressure screening?

I don’t take any other medications now. My average pressure is 120/80. I am 5 feet 5 inches and 150 pounds.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

Dear Reader: Have your doctor provide you with a written verification that the atenolol has reduced your blood pressure to the acceptable range. Submit the affirmation to the company and reap the benefits.

You don’t need to use anti-anxiety drugs. If the insurance company refuses to process this claim, insist on receiving written notification from various resources that confirms your diagnosis of white-coat syndrome.

You do not – repeat, do not – require doggie treats to solve this problem.

To give you related information, I am sending you a free copy of my health report “Hypertension.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: In your response to the woman whose 60-year-old son lost his appetite due to pancreatic-cancer treatment, why didn’t you speak up for the appetite-enhancing effects of marijuana?

Dear Reader: I agree that marijuana should be legally available to cancer patients because it certainly can improve quality-of-life issues.

Unfortunately the drug is not generally available. I anticipate that some readers will assume an opposite view, but I believe that marijuana use, under certain circumstances, is entirely appropriate.