 Using a crossover design, we will compare the effects of a placebo to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist on the urinary sodium excretion response in obese normotensive subjects and untreated hypertensive African-Americans subjects. We expect that the urinary sodium excretion response to angiotensin II receptor antagonist therapy will be less in the overweightobese hypertensive subjects compared to the overweightobese normotensive subjects. This study will also employ a double blind placebo controlled cross-over drug study. All subjects that qualify to participate in this study will fall in the overweightobese category with a BMI rate of 25 kgm2 or higher. Half of the subjects will be normotensive and half drug naïve hypertensive. The normotensive subjects will be identified as described above for Studies 1 and 2. The only difference is that they will need to have a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kgm2. The hypertensive subjects will be identified by Dr. White or his team in the hypertension clinic. These patients will be restricted to those not currently on anti-hypertensive therapy. 