The impact of home blood pressure measurement on blood pressure control in the elderly

INTERVENTION: Patients to the clinic will be randomised by week, those visiting on even weeks will be assigned to: 1. Regular (every 3 months) self‐measurement of blood pressure at home with an automatic device Those visiting on odd weeks will be assigned to: 2. No regular self‐measurement The total duration of the intervention will be one year. CONDITION: Hypertension ; Circulatory System ; Essential (primary) hypertension PRIMARY OUTCOME: Difference of office mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure among hypertensives between both groups at the end of the intervention period (1 year) SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Difference of home mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure among hypertensives between both groups; 2. Difference of percentage of participants with hypertension between both groups; 3. Difference of use of antihypertensive drugs between both groups; 4. Frequency of masked and white coat hypertension and difference between both groups; 5. Feasibility; All outcomes will be measured at the end of the intervention period (1 year) INCLUSION CRITERIA: Volunteers of an ongoing observational cohort study: 1. = 65 year of age 2. Written informed consent