Initial antihypertensive therapy with single-pill combinations produced more rapid blood pressure control than initial monotherapy in clinical trials. Other studies reported better cardiovascular outcomes in patients achieving lower blood pressure during the first treatment year. We assessed the effectiveness of initial antihypertensive monotherapy, free combinations, and single-pill combinations in controlling untreated, uncontrolled hypertensives during their first treatment year. Electronic record data were obtained from 180 practice sites; 106 621 hypertensive patients seen from January 2004 to June 2009 had uncontrolled blood pressure, were untreated for ≥6 months before therapy, and had ≥1 one-year follow-up blood pressure data. Control was determined by the first follow-up visit with blood pressure P