It was so funny when I was booked in for my minor op (just a few injections into my arthritic feet) when the nurse measured my BP. Even though I'd warned her of my 'white coat' syndrome she rushed off to find a senior nurse because I measured 205/95. Fortunately I'd taken my chart of daily readings taken at home and after 3 more attempts to get a lower reading, they finally believed me and I wasn't sent home!
I think half the trouble is that I find their cuffs terribly painful, because I can't say I felt at all apprehensive about the treatment as I've had it before and its nothing like as painful as that arm cuff!