Sympathetic Mechanisms in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Alterations of Obesity, Crossover Design Study.
We will study obese hypertensive subjects in a randomized, crossover study to determine if two weeks sympathetic blockade improves endogenous glucose production. Subjects will be studied on 3 different occasions after two weeks of receiving either placebo, amlodipine (vasodilator arm) or moxonidine (study arm). The order of the studies will be determined using computer-generated randomization. Patients will be blinded as to which treatment they are receiving on each day. An investigator blinded to the treatment assignment will perform the analysis of the data.
• Males and females of all races between 18 and 65 years of age
• Hypertension defined by two or more properly measured seated blood pressure readings \>130/85 mmHg or currently on antihypertensive medication.
• Obesity will be defined as having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2.
• Able and willing to provide informed consent.