Blood Pressure Lowering Ability and Safety of an Olmesartan and Amlodipine Based Treatment Regimen in Patients With Stage I and Stage II Hypertension

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males or females greater than or equal to 18 years of age
• Patients with a mean seated systolic blood pressure (MSSBP) greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg but less than or equal to 199 mm Hg or a mean seated diastolic blood pressure (MSDBP) greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg and less than or equal to 109 mm Hg, following a period of taking only placebo
• Patients with a mean daytime (8AM-4PM) systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 135 mm Hg and less than or equal to 199 mm Hg and a mean daytime diastolic blood pressure less than or equal to 109 mm Hg as measured by an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device (ABPM), after a period of taking only placebo
• If female, must have negative serum pregnancy test at screening and be either post-menopausal (greater than or equal to 1 year), had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation at least 6 months before consent or if of childbearing potential, must practice approved measures of birth control throughout study

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within the last one year
• History of myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft, or heart failure within the past 6 months
• Patients with secondary hypertension of any etiology, such as renal disease, pheochromocytoma, or Cushing's syndrome
• Type I diabetes. Patients with Type II diabetes on stable treatment, with fasting glucose <160 mg/dl may enroll
• Patients with hemodynamically significant cardiac valvular disease
• Patients with clinically significant cardiac conduction defects, including second or third degree AV block, left bundle branch block, sick sinus syndrome, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, an accessory bypass tract, or any arrhythmia requiring medication