Systematic at-home blood pressure monitoring has been found to better predict an individual’s risk of developing diseases like heart disease and stroke than occasional checks at a doctor’s office, according to the findings of a new study.

Reuters reports that a new study appearing in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension has found that blood pressure readings taken at home are more accurate. In addition, readings aren’t affected by the so-called "white coat effect" that can cause blood pressure to increase when at a doctor’s office.

"At home the patient is more relaxed and this seems to provide blood pressure values that reflect the patient’s true blood pressure better," the study’s lead author Teemu Niiranen, M.D. told Reuters Health.

Researchers studied 2,000 individuals aged 45 to 74 years old in Finland for their results. Participants agreed to be interviewed, undergo medical exams and monitor their blood pressure at home on well-calibrated monitoring devices.

After analyzing the data over a seven-year period, they concluded that the best predictor of heart attacks, strokes and related deaths was home blood pressure monitoring.

According to the American Heart Association, hypertension increases the risk for heart attack, angina, stroke, kidney failure and peripheral artery disease. In addition to lifestyle changes like weight loss and exercise, supplements containing potassium, calcium, fish oil, magnesium and garlic may help prevent it.