Efficacy and Tolerability of an Aliskiren-based Treatment Algorithm in Patients With Mild to Moderate Hypertension

Inclusion Criteria: * Outpatients ≥ 18 years of age * Patients with a diagnosis of mild to moderate hypertension at Visit 1 * All patients must have a msSBP ≥ 140 mmHg and \< 180 mmHg and/or msDBP ≥ 90 mmHg and \< 110 mmHg mmHg at Visit 3 Exclusion Criteria: * Severe hypertension defined as msSBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or msDBP ≥ 110 mmHg * Secondary form of hypertension * Current diagnosis of heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) * Current angina pectoris requiring pharmacological therapy (other than stable doses of oral or topical nitrates) * Second or third degree heart block without a pacemaker * Concurrent potentially life threatening arrhythmia or symptomatic arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, during the 12 months prior to Visit 1 Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.