A Study in the Use of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring and Telephone Follow-up to Control Blood Pressure

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosed with essential hypertension * systolic blood pressure \>140 mm Hg (130 if diabetic) OR diastolic blood pressure \> 90 mm Hg (80 if diabetic)on at least 2 clinic visits prior to randomization * BP at time of screening is \> than systolic 140 (130 if diabetic) or diastolic 90 (80 if diabetic) * patient is prescribed at least 1 antihypertensive medication * Patient is fluent in English * Patient is easily accessible by telephone Exclusion Criteria: * persons with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease on dialysis * Patients with a terminal illness * Patients with severe dementia or serious mental illness * Inability to preform self blood pressure monitoring * Patient lacks a functioning home phone or personal cellular phone * Pregnant or planning to get pregnant * Arm circumference exceeds the allowable limit on the largest home BP monitor cuff