The "CONTROL" study is an out patient based prospective observational cohort study. The main aim of the study is to survey the safety and efficacy of Micardis 40 mg/day and 80 mg/day under real life conditions in usual clinical practice in essential hypertensive patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The patients participating in the study will be surveyed for 24 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female.
• Aged 20 to 80 years old.
• Adult essential hypertensive either newly diagnosed and untreated, or previously treated and uncontrolled patients; sitting blood pressure: systolic BP > 140 mmHg but < 180 mmHg, and/or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg but < 110 mmHg).
• Patients who are assessed to benefit from the intake of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) monotherapy or as add-on medication.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with contraindications to telmisartan use (as per the Micardis® Tablets package insert).
• Known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to any of the excipients of Micardis® Tablets.
• Any other clinical condition which, in the opinion of the attending physician, would not allow safe administration of the study medications.
• Patients participating in any other protocol

Essential hypertensive patients