Effects of white coat hypertension in older adults: a systematic review [Effects of white coat hypertension in older adults: a systematic review]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of white coat hypertension on cardiovascular risk and mortality in older adults, as well as measurement strategies that can be applied by nurses. METHODS: A systematic review according to PRISMA 2020 in PubMed, SciELO and the Virtual Health Library (2005-2026); of 287 records, 15 studies were included. RESULTS: Prevalence ranged between 10 % and 30 %. In untreated individuals, it was associated with higher all-cause (HR = 1.33) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 2.09), with no association in treated individuals; it increased the likelihood of progression to sustained hypertension (OR = 2.51). Automated office measurement reduced readings compared with conventional measurement, although it did not replace home monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should prevent overtreatment through repeated and automated measurements, ambulatory monitoring and anxiety reduction.