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

This study is looking to evaluate which drug combination, olmesartan/amlodipine or perindopril/amlodipine, is better at lowering blood pressure in people with mild to moderate hypertension. The investigators will be enrolling people who are either currently taking medication to lower their blood pressure or who have been recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and are not yet on medication.

Patients on medication for their blood pressure will be asked to stop taking this medication for 2 to 4 weeks. If their blood pressure is suitable (not too high or low) they will be randomised to one of their treatment arm:

Group 1 will receive Perindopril on its own (5mg for 4 weeks followed by 10mg for 8 weeks). There will be 80 patients in this group.

Group 2 will receive Perindopril and Amlodipine together (5mg/5mg for 4 weeks, 10mg/5mg for a further 4 weeks then 10mg/10mg for the final 4 weeks). There will be 80 patient in this group.

Group 3 will receive Olmesartan and Amlodipine together (20mg/5mg for 4 weeks, 40mg/5mg for a further 4 weeks then 40mg/10mg for the final 4 weeks). There will be 120 patients in this group.

During the study we will measure the patients blood pressure and heart rate, weight and perform routine blood tests. They will also have ECGs (3 occasions) and 24 hour blood pressure monitor (4 occasions).

At the end of the study patients pre-study medication will be restarted or they will be put on to a suitable alternative.


Eligibility Criteria:
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 Patients with mild to moderate hypertension will be either de novo presenters with this condition or withdrawn from background antihypertensive therapy for a period of 2 weeks.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 If their systolic blood pressure is above 180 mmHg they will be withdrawn from the study and will be provided with appropriate treatment.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.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Secondary causes of hypertension (e.g. Conn's Syndrome, renal artery stenosis)
2. Serum creatinine \>0.25 mmol/L or eGFR \<40 ml/min
3. Serum potassium \>5.5 mmol/L
4. Abnormal LFTs (i.e. serum transaminases \>2x ULN)
5. Sitting SBP \>180 mmHg
6. Recent (\<6 months) MI, CVA, TIA, revascularisation procedure
7. Ethanol abuse (in the opinion of the investigator)
8. Concomitant drug therapy that may impact on BP e.g. NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, other antihypertensive agents
9. Unable to comply with study requirements (in the opinion of the investigator)
10. Pregnant or lactating women