Hypertension affects approximately 50 million individuals in the United States. As the population ages, the prevalence of hypertension will continue to increase if broad and effective preventive measures are not implemented. According to the World Health Organization, hypertension is the most common attributable cause of preventable death in developed nations, as uncontrolled hypertension greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and renal failure. Despite the availability of antihypertensive treatments, hypertension remains inadequately controlled; only about one-third of patients continue to maintain control successfully.~TAK-491 (azilsartan medoxomil) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker and this study is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral azilsartan medoxomil compared to placebo and olmesartan in subjects with essential hypertension.~Individuals who want to participate in this study will be required to provide written informed consent. Study participation is anticipated to be about 11 weeks. Multiple procedures will occur at each visit which may include fasting, blood collection, urine collection, vital signs including sitting blood pressure and pulse, body height and weight, physical examinations and electrocardiograms. Outside of the study center, participants will be required to wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device at 24 hour intervals.
The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of azilsartan medoxomil, once daily (QD), compared to placebo and olmesartan in participants with essential hypertension.