Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day with sleep, activity, stress and other factors. Learn why readings can vary, how to measure blood pressure correctly at home, and why the pattern over time matters more than a single reading.

White coat hypertension occurs when blood pressure is elevated in a doctor's clinic but normal at home. Often triggered by anxiety during medical visits, it should not be diagnosed from a single reading alone. Home blood pressure monitoring or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can help confirm whether hypertension is truly present and guide appropriate treatment.