Benidipine-based Comparison of Angiotensin Receptors, β-blockers, or Thiazide Diuretics in Hypertensive Patients

Inclusion criteria

• Outpatients who are required a combination therapy with sitting systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg.
• Outpatients aged over 40 years and less than 85 years (inclusive), regardless of sex.
• Previously untreated patients or patients who are on other therapy, which can be converted to 4mg of benidipine.
• Patients who can be treated with benidipine, angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, and thiazide diuretics.

Exclusion criteria

• Seated systolic blood pressure ≥ 200 mmHg or seated diastolic blood pressure ≥ 120 mmHg.
• Secondary hypertension.
• Type I diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes on insulin treatment.
• History of cerebrovascular disorder, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery within 6 months prior to enrolment in the study.
• Heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional classification II, III or IV).
• Chronic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
• Congenital heart disease or a history of rheumatic heart disease.
• Severe peripheral arterial disease (Fontaine Class II, III or IV).
• Serious liver dysfunction (AST or ALT ≥100 IU / l).
• Serious renal dysfunction (serum creatinine ≥ 2mg/dl).
• History of malignancy 5 years prior to study entry.
• Pregnancy.
• Compliance rate < 70% assessed by a patient interview.
• Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to benidipine, angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, and thiazide diuretics.
• Other serious illness or significant abnormalities that the investigator judges inappropriate for the study