The study was terminated early because of significant efficacy results for the primary endpoint in favor of benazepril/amlodipine treatment.

A comparison study of two combination drugs, amlodipine/benazepril and benazepril/HCTZ to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination on reducing heart disease and death in a high risk hypertensive population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 55 years of age.
• Previously untreated or treated hypertension.
• For patients >= 60 years, evidence of at least one CV disease or target organ damage, or for patients 55-59 years evidence of at least two CV diseases or target organ damage from two different organ systems as defined in the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to any of the drugs administered in this trial.
• Current angina pectoris (ie, no anginal event requiring NTG within 1 month prior to Visit 1).
• Secondary hypertension.
• Refractory hypertension defined as SBP >= 180 mmHg and/or DBP >= 110 mmHg unresponsive to triple-drug regimens of sympatholytics, diuretics and vasodilators.
• History of symptomatic heart failure (NYHA classes II-IV) or ejection fraction < 40%.
• Myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization (CABG or PCI), unstable angina within one month of Visit 1.
• Stroke or transient ischemic event (TIA) within 3 months of Visit 1.
• Significant obstructive valvular cardiovascular disease or any valvular disease expected to lead to surgery during the course of the study.
• Evidence of hepatic disease (AST or ALT values >= 2 X upper limit of normal).
• Impaired renal function (serum creatinine >= 2.5 mg/dL (221 µmol/L)).
• Baseline serum potassium of > 5.2 meq/L not on potassium supplements.
• History of malignancy including leukemia and lymphoma (but not basal cell skin cancer) within the last 5 years.
• History of clinically significant auto immune disorders such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
• Significant non-cardiovascular illness or condition likely to result in death prior to trial completion, e.g., major organ transplant (life expectancy <5 years).
• Significant cardiovascular disease such as an aortic aneurysm ≥ 6 cm, likely requiring surgical intervention during the course of the study.

Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria applied to the study.