The proportion of hypertensive patients achieving adequate blood pressure control meeting guideline targets remains low. Of hypertensive patients, only 50% are on antihypertensive medications. Of those on blood pressure lowering drugs, only 50% have their blood pressure controlled. The objectives of this study are: 1. To test the feasibility of telemonitoring of blood pressure in Flemish general practices. 2. To investigate in a randomized fashion whether telemonitoring enabled self-measurement of blood pressure leads to faster blood pressure control than self-measurement without the telemonitoring information. 3. The secondary endpoints include various blood pressure indexes, adverse effects, a simple assessment of quality of life, adherence, a log of technical problems, and cost effectiveness (EQ-5D-5L).
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Inclusion Criteria: * Women and men are eligible. Women of reproductive age should apply effective contraception. * Age ranges from 20 years (inclusive) to less than 80 years. * Patients should have hypertension, which is uncontrolled on medical treatment. * At the screening visit, patients should either be untreated for at least 4 weeks or taking a stable drug regimen for at least 4 weeks. * Medical treatment can consist of all major drug classes. This includes diuretics, β-blockers, α-blockers, calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), inhibitors of the rennin system (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II type-1 receptor blockers (ARBs), the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren, aldosterone receptor antagonists (ARAs) centrally acting antihypertensive drugs and vasodilators (hydralazine). In line with current recommendations and recent studies, unless contra-indicated or not tolerated, aldosterone antagonists, such as spironolactone 25 to 50 mg per day should have been attempted for at least 4 weeks to improve blood pressure control in treatment-resistant patients. * The patients should be intellectually and emotionally capable of measuring their blood pressure at home and accept to keep a diary (control group) or to have a report sent to their doctor (intervention group). * Patient should provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * The clinical context is suboptimal for telemonitoring of blood pressure: * Myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, or a cerebrovascular accident within 6 months of the screening period. * Type-1 diabetes mellitus requiring multiple adjustments of treatment to maintain control or diabetes mellitus with recent hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic coma. * Renal dysfunction defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 30 mL/min/1.73m², using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. * Secondary hypertension, in which treatment options other than antihypertensive drug treatment are indicated. * Sleep apnea syndrome that qualifies for treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). * Atrial fibrillation or arrhythmia making oscillometric blood pressure measurement unreliable. * The patient is on a waiting list for elective surgery or a cardiovascular intervention. * Patients with alcohol or substance abuse or psychiatric illnesses. * The patients should not have any serious medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, may adversely interfere with self-measurement of blood pressure at home. * Patients should not participate in any other trial of an investigational drug or device.