Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Combined With Calcium Antagonist Evaluation of Safety and Lowering of Systolic Blood Pressure Study

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Over 18 years of age
• •2. Has provided written informed consent
• •3. Mild to moderate hypertension (WHO Stage 1-2). Patients with mild to moderate hypertension will be either de novo presenters with this condition or withdrawn from background antihypertensive therapy for a period of 2 weeks. If sSBP is not greater than 140 mmHg after this 2 week withdrawal period (\*130 mmHg if diabetes or CKD, as per Heart Foundation of Australia Hypertension Guidelines 20082), patients can be followed, off therapy, for a further 2 weeks in order to meet this criterion. If their systolic blood pressure is above 180 mmHg they will be withdrawn from the study and will be provided with appropriate treatment.
• •4. Hypertensive patients with a high level of risk, i.e. having at least one of the following risk factors :
• •* History of CV event eg MI, stroke (\>6 months ago)
• •* History of revascularization procedure (\>6 months ago)
• •* Impaired kidney function (eGFR \<70 ml/min)
• •* ECG or echocardiographic evidence of LV hypertrophy
• •* Obesity, defined as BMI \>30 kg/m2
• •* Diabetes mellitus
• •* Peripheral arterial disease
• •* Macroalbuminuria
• •* Current smoking (defined as smoking at least 7 cigarettes per week)
• •5. Women must be post menopausal or using an acceptable method of contraception i.e. surgical sterilisation, hormonal contraception or double barrier method.