I actually go through bouts of obsessive blod pressure taking which gives me the pulse as well. When I first started having bad anxiety in early August, I tried to do everything I could to help myself. Eliminated caffeine, cut nicotine in half, drinking nothing but water, excersing almost every day, and have lost a good deal of weight (on purpose). Where I am going with this is as my pulse has dropped due to reduced stimulants, excercise and weight loss, I even freak out when my pulse is lower than it was before it started. I do know one thing for sure, focusing on your heart rate or blood pressure doesn't help you lower it at that moment. Your anxiety increases it, then when it's not the result you want, it gets even worse. Just relax and if you do need to check it, relax for 5 minutes before you do. Good luck.