"White coat hypertension" it's called.
Instead of asking me to be measured for 24 hours with a portable monitor (even overnight, no thanks!) my new GP suggested I buy my own for about 30€ and measure myself twice a day when relaxed.
It arrived - and yes it still hurts, but I can be on my own bed thinking calming thoughts. My BP is so so so much lower. And yes the device I bought appears to be from a reputable brand.
This is the difference between being OK or being prescribed statins. Huge.