Objective:To explore the changes of ambulatory blood pressure,angiotensin Ⅱ and cortisol levels in the elderly hypertensive patients with depression,and the relationship of angiotensin Ⅱ,cortisol and hypertension,depression. Methods:One hundred and eighty elderly patients selected from Department of Geriatrics,Nanjing Governmental Hospital were divided into two groups:hypertension complicated with depression(HD) group and hypertension(H) group,90 cases in each group,the office blood pressure and the ambulatory blood pressure were measured,and the plasma angiotensin Ⅱ,cortisol levels were detected by radioimmunoassay. Results:According to 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and office blood pressure,pure systolic hypertension were indicated by the elevation of systolic pressure in both groups. The levels of angiotensin Ⅱ and cortisol were significantly higher in HD group than those in H group(P < 0.01). The levels of angiotensin Ⅱ(r = 0.351,P < 0.01) and cortisol (r = 0.316,P < 0.01) had positive correlation with HAMD score in HD group. Conclusion:Angiotensin Ⅱ,cortisol might be involved in pathophysiology of hypertension complicated with depression in elderly population.