"White coat syndrome is a term used for what happens when patients come in to see the doctor," he said.

In fact, these routine checkups can give people with normal blood pressure what's called "White coat syndrome," temporary high blood pressure brought on by the health care providers themselves.

Aside from the potential for white-coat syndrome, estimated to affect as many as one in five patients, studies have shown that measuring throughout the day is a greater predictor of heart risk.