Being anxious can raise your blood pressure. For some people, taking their blood pressure can cause anxiety and create a vicious cycle. However, for many people, once they are familiar with any procedure their anxiety is reduced, a process known as desensitization. Taking your blood pressure at home, in a comfortable and familiar environment, can help the desensitization process, particularly with time. Indeed, I have told some patients to not look at their blood pressure results until they are more comfortable with the process!
Understanding that your blood pressure over time, not at any particular moment, is the best assessment of your blood pressure can help reduce anxiety about any particular measurement. So can being sure to relax prior to taking your blood pressure. Using a blood pressure app like BPCorrect can help you learn more about these considerations and reduce the effect of taking blood pressure with anxiety.