This study will assess and compare the efficacy and safety of valsartan and the combination of valsartan and simvastatin in patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female patients at least 50 years of age
• Mild to moderate essential systolic hypertension (grades 1 and 2 WHO classification) defined as MSSBP ≥ 150 mmHg and <180mmHg
• Simultaneous primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dislipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb) defined by LDL-C level ≥ 130 mg/dL and <190 mg/dL and triglyceride levels ≤ 400 mg/dL despite dietary therapy
• Off medication at randomization

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe hypertension (grade 3 WHO classification
• ≥ 180 mm Hg systolic or ≥ 110 mm Hg (diastolic)
• secondary form of hypertension
• known Keith-Wagener Grade III or IV hypertensive retinopathy
• history of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident within the preceding 12 months
• transient ischemic cerebral attack during the preceding 6 months
• dyslipidemia secondary to other causes
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus with poor glucose control
• history of systemic inflammatory diseases
• serum CK more than twice ULN
• sodium depletion
• malignancy in preceding 5 years history of heart failure
• myocardial infarction within the preceding 12 months
• second or third degree heart block
• concomitant refractory angina pectoris
• symptomatic arrhythmia
• valvular heart disease
• Any condition/surgery that may alter absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion of any drug (e.g. history of major gastrointestinal tract surgery, inflammatory bowel syndrome, pancreatic dysfunction, impaired renal or liver function)