Patients who have had high blood pressure for a long time may have diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic Dysfunction is when your heart has difficulty filling and emptying, and relaxing adequately.

This study is to find out if Valsartan) will improve the ability of the heart to fill, empty, and relax appropriately when given alone or with other medicines to treat high blood pressure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis/History of high blood pressure
• Male or Female age 45 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of stroke, transient ischemic attack or heart attack within the last 6 months
• A hospital admission for congestive heart failure within the last year
• Use of certain high blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers or aldosterone antagonists or other agents that may work in the same pathway (RAAS) as valsartan within the past 3 months.

Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.