Predictors for the white coat effect in general practice patients with suspected and treated hypertension.

Background: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was introduced more than 40 years ago and is accepted as a clinically useful method to evaluate the white coat effect in patients with suspected and established hypertension.

Aim: To study the differences between blood pressure readings taken in the physician's office in the primary healthcare setting, and ambulatory readings, and to find possible predictors.

Design Of Study: Prospective study.