Effect of Two Doses of Olmesartan Medoxomil and Amlodipine on Vascular Markers in Hypertensive Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female Europeans at the age of 18 years or above with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and modest inflammation * Blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/85 mmHg AND * hs-CRP greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 10.0 mg/dL AND at least two (2) of the following traits of the metabolic syndrome (ATP III criteria): * abdominal obesity: waist circumference greater than 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women; * triglyceride level greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL; HDL less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women * fasting blood glucose greater than or equal to 110mg/dL Exclusion Criteria: * Insulin depended diabetes or type-1 diabetes * Severe or resistant hypertension * Patients with secondary hypertension of any aetiology, such as renal disease, pheochromocytoma, or Cushing's syndrome * Any acute or chronic inflammatory disease * Constant use of lipid-lowering agents (eg statins, fibrates) for less than 3 months before study start * Pregnant or lactating female patients of childbearing potential (prerequisite: adequate contraception); * Patients with serious disorders which may limit the ability to evaluate the efficacy or safety of the trial drug(s)