This study is being done to assess the effectiveness of short term (~9 months)
Aliskiren/Placebo therapy to slow down the progression of atherosclerotic disease in thoracic
and abdominal aorta. This will be checked by comparing before and after therapy magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) pictures of the aortic wall. Aliskiren is an FDA approved drug for
hypertension but in this study is used for a new indication. Recent studies with animals have
shown that Aliskiren therapy reduces the atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore, in this study,
the investigators would like to evaluate whether the investigational drug Aliskiren, which is
not FDA approved for this indication has the same beneficial effects in people with
atherosclerotic disease.