Study to Determine if Olmesartan Medoxomil Has the Potential to Benefit the Cardiovascular System in Terms of Arterial Protection

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female outpatients * Age greater than or equal to 18 years and less than or equal to 75 years * Hypertension and metabolic syndrome defined, according to the ATP III/IDF 2005 and ESH/ESC 2007 definitions, as BP greater than or equal to 130/85 mmHg and \<150/95 mmHg (i.e. untreated high normal BP or "low range" mild hypertension) and at least 2 of the following traits at: * Abdominal obesity (waist circumference \>102 cm for men and \>88 cm for women) * Triglyceride level greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL * High density lipoprotein (HDL) \<40 mg/dL for men and \<50 mg/dL for women * Fasting blood glucose greater than or equal to 110 mg/dL and \<126 mg/dL (i.e. no type 2 diabetes) * No anti-hypertensive treatment or treatment with only one anti-hypertensive medication within the last 3 months. Note: treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) is not allowed within the last 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or lactating female (prerequisite for female subjects of childbearing potential: adequate contraception) * Type 1 and type 2 diabetes * "High range" mild hypertension (i.e. systolic blood pressure \[SBP\]: 150 - \<160 mmHg and /or diastolic blood pressure \[DBP\]: 95 - \<100 mmHg) * Moderate (SBP: 160 - 179 mmHg and DBP: 100 - 109 mmHg), severe (SBP: greater than or equal to 180 mmHg and/or greater than or equal to 110 mmHg), or resistant (hypertension resistant to treatment)hypertension * Secondary hypertension of any aetiology, such as renal disease, pheochromocytoma, or Cushing's syndrome