Safety/Efficacy of Combo Therapy With Aliskiren & Hydrochlorothiazide vs Therapy With Hydrochlorothiazide Alone in Patients With Hypertension

Inclusion Criteria

• •Male or female outpatients 18 years old or older.
• •Patients with a diagnosis of hypertension defined as follows:
• •* Newly diagnosed patients or patients who have not been treated for hypertension within the 4 weeks prior to Visit 1 must have a msDBP \>= mmHg and \< 110 mmHg at Visit 1.
• •* All patients who have been treated for hypertension within the 4 weeks prior to Visit 1 must have a msDBP \>= 85 mmHg and \< 110 mmHg at Visit 2.
• •* All patients must have a msDBP \>= 90 mmHg and \< 110 mmHg at Visit 5.
• •Patients who are eligible and consent to participate in the study