White coat effect: semantics, assessment and pathophysiological implications.

The occurrence of a transient increase in blood pressure during sphygmomanometric measurements in the clinic environment was first described in 1897 by Scipione Riva-Rocci: ‘. . . the simple application of the instrument (the sphygmomanometer) can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure. It is therefore necessary to take not just one reading, but several in succession, such as 3 in 3 minutes or 5 in five minutes, until an average constant pressure is obtained . . .’ [1].