Blood pressure is affected by situational anxiety, such as the white coat effect. We hypothesised that blood pressure would also be affected by anticipation of a blood test. Volunteer subjects were recruited on the campus of Birmingham University. Subjects were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. After a period of rest, three seated blood pressure measurements were taken at 1-min intervals using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Between the second and third measurements subjects in the intervention group were told that a blood test would be carried out after the last measurement. No blood test was carried out. Three blood pressure measurements were made in all 213 randomised subjects. Analysis was by intentionto-treat. In the control group mean systolic and diastolic
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