Vascular Improvement With Olmesartan Medoxomil Study

Vascular Improvement With Olmesartan Medoxomil Study

The purpose of this study is to compare in patients with primary hypertension, the non-blood pressure lowering effects of one-year therapy with olmesartan medoxomil vs. those of atenolol on changes in the vascular structure and function.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female
• 18-75 years of age
• Mean seated diastolic BP 90-109 or mean seated systolic BP of 140-179

Exclusion Criteria:

• Secondary hypertension
• Renal disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Serum creatinine >3.0 mg/dL
• Hemoglobin <10 mg/dL (males) or <9mg/dL (females)
• WBC count <2000 cells/mL
• Platelet count <100,000 cells/mL
• Either ALT & AST >2.5 x upper limit of normal
• BMI >35 kg/m2
• TIA or cerebrovascular attack within 3 months of study entry