Autonomic Blockade and Endogenous Glucose Production

Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females of all races between 18 and 60 years of age * Hypertension defined by two or more properly measured seated blood pressure readings \>130/85 mmHg or currently on antihypertensive medication. This will allow us to include subjects with "pre-hypertension." * Obesity will be defined as having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. * Insulin resistance will be defined as a HOMA2 IR index ≥1.6 * Able and willing to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breast feeding * Current smokers or history of heavy smoking (\>2 packs/day) * History of alcohol or drug abuse * Previous allergic reaction to study medications * Evidence of type I or type II diabetes (i.e. fasting glucose \>126 mg/dl, use of anti-diabetic medications) * Cardiovascular disease other than hypertension such as myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to enrollment, presence of angina pectoris, significant arrhythmia, congestive heart failure (LV hypertrophy acceptable), deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, second or third degree heart block, mitral valve stenosis, aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy * History of serious cerebrovascular disease such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, or transient ischemic attack * History or presence of immunological or hematological disorders * Impaired renal function * Anemia * Treatment with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors * Treatment with anticoagulants * Treatment with chronic systemic glucocorticoid th…