There's a time and a place for everything--and when it comes to checking your blood pressure, it's probably not when and where you think.

Forget the doctor's office, because you can get more accurate readings when you check your blood pressure on your own at home.

Researchers gave more than 2,000 Finnish patients between the ages of 45 and 74 blood pressure monitoring devices. The patients took regular readings at home, but also underwent regular medical exams as well as interviews.

The researchers discovered that the readings taken at home turned out to be the best predictors of those heart problems, according to the study published in the journal Hypertension.

The reason? Chalk it up to the so-called "white-coat effect."

That's the non-technical name for the increased panic--and hence, increased blood pressure--that can come from simply setting foot in a doctor's office.

In reality, you might have perfectly normal blood pressure most of the time--it just shoots up at the sight of that white coat. It's kind of like people who hit the brakes any time they see a cop, even if they weren't speeding in the first place.

But regardless, this "white-coat effect" can lead to a spike in blood pressure... and before you know it, you're on hypertension meds that you didn't really need.

Taking those readings at home can give a truer picture of your blood pressure--especially if you take those readings often.

The patients in the study used a $70 device, but you can often find an accurate automatic reader similar to the one they used for around $40. Talk to your doctor to find one that's right for you.

About a third of all American adults have high blood pressure--so if you're fighting this battle, you're not alone. But you probably want to break away from the pack when it comes to helping yourself.

After all, if the mainstream had the answers, why are up to 75 million Americans still suffering from this condition?

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