The next time you have your blood pressure checked; have a nurse do it instead of a doctor.

It seems nurses get more accurate blood pressure readings than doctors do. 

A recent study found that many patients experience a spike in blood pressure when the doctor is taking it, as opposed to a nurse, resulting in a higher measurement. It’s called the white coat effect that triggers anxiety for some in a medical setting. 

It’s a good idea to get a read on your own blood pressure at home, in a relaxed setting. If it’s consistently higher in a clinical environment, you might want to take the white coats into consideration.