Irbesartan in the Treatment of Hypertensive Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects must be willing and able to provide written informed consent. Subjects must read, sign, and receive a copy of the informed consent prior to any study procedures, including withdrawal of any antihypertensive medication. * Males and females \>= 18 years of age. * Uncontrolled hypertension defined as an average systolic blood pressure \>= 140 mmHg and/or an average diastolic blood pressure \>= 90 mmHg. This applies to both people not taking any blood pressure medications and people taking just one blood pressure medication. * Presenting at least 2 of the following: * Obesity; * High triglycerides; * Low HDL cholesterol; * Elevated fasting glucose. Exclusion Criteria: * Women of child bearing potential who are not using adequate birth control. * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding * Diabetics * Systolic blood pressure \>= 180 mmHg. * Diastolic blood pressure \>= 110 mmHg. * Stroke within past 12 months. * Myocardial infarction and heart revascularization procedure or acute angina within past 6 months. * Moderate to severe heart failure. * Significant kidney or liver disease. * Cancer in past 5 years. * Drug or alcohol abuse. * Gout * Lupus