When my high b/p was first discovered by my MD, he had me come in everyday for a week then when he saw it wasn't going down, he put me in the hospital for a week until he got it down. After that I got the home monitor and check it twice a week unless I feel like it's really high and then call him after a few days of it being up.
I have a monitor by ReliOn but have had it about 7-8 yr. and don't know if they still make them even. My doctor said that any brand is o.k. and I think I'm going to get the wrist one next. Your b/p will vary because mine goes down when I go to the doctor sometimes.

PamelaE, If you dont mind me asking, how high was your blood pressure when you had to go into the hospital?

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Interesting post. I have found it tremendously easier to take your own BP at home with a brand called Omron and use the wrist cuff which is far easier than battling to wrap a cuff around your upper arm. My wife is fighting a very difficult situation, that seem very probable, according to one electrocardilogist (pacemaker cardiologist) who said upon her referral, she has NO cardiac involvement in regard to orthostatic syndromes of constant syncope with shortness of breath and yet has a 10 year history of HYPERTENSION,,that averages at home on multiple times of day around 180/110 or within 10 points of this range both ways. This is considered a developing severe form of the originally lower early hypertension stage of around 140-150/90 or 95. Either way, it's too high, yet after a surgery 2 1/2 years ago, (fundoplication of the stomach and an immediate pain of a kidney stone 3 weeks later that required lithotrypsy), she started fainting constantly everywhere we went. It was a frightening experience, and baffled doctors ever since. Two cardiologists found low potassium and dehydration put her into the ER the first time, and many times thereafter, she continued to have these orthostatic syndromes, with her pulse dropping to the 40's, and 50's on average. The first treatments were IV fluids, and emphasis on those terrible Jobst waist-length hose (or pantyhose) very, very difficult to get on, and my wife just cannot tolerate this as she is short of breath and cannot exert at all. More cardiology visits yielded NO cardiac problems, even with Holter monitors, and others worn for 10 days,,nothing. So now 3-4 electrocardiologists say a pacemaker will do "no good" as this is Vasovagal syncope.) Her BP varies lower, but the primary problem she still has is fear of more ER visits, so she won't get out of the house, except for some 3 doctor visits this year, and she is tired of the lack of compassion that implies she is a "basket case". But back to your question,,yes, there is some small variation in the single BP checks at the doctor's office, but the Omron Wrist BP cuff is what I'd recommend for ease of use, and a digital read out with memory. The primary early med used for the past 10 years was Nadolol,,40mg daily, but some express concern that beta-blockers can enhance orthostatic syncope (fainting). So we are damned if we do, and damned if we don't. The hypertension is now worse with Gatorade and high volume intakes of water and liquids to prevent any more dehydration, so it's a Catch-22. Insofar as any added BP med,,the doctor 2 months ago added Diovan 160g for two weeks,,no relief. Thus the past 10-12 days, he increased it to 320 mg Diovan, with the Nadolol 40mg, and still not improvement. So we go this week to a nephrologist specialist to follow up for some hopefully better answers. Sorry for this complicated post. But BP can be a double edged sword, depending on other meds you might take. If you have problems, be sure to check your BP multiple times, especially upon rising, or standing if you have dizzyness and possible syncope, or just to find out a good average of your overall daily BP readings. ONE reading does NOT give enough information. I hope this might be of some help. Good luck.