ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of 24-hour ambulatory pulse pressure (24hPP) with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in elderly essential hypertension patients. MethodsThe data of 110 elderly patients with essential hypertension from January to December 2012 were collected in the study. All patients received 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echoeardiographic examination 24hPP and LVMI were calculated according to the results of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiographic measurements. The patients were divided into group A [24hPP<60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), n=70] and group B (24hPP≥60 mm Hg, n=40). ResultsThe 24-hour systolic blood pressure and 24hPP for patients in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.001). Compared with group A patients, the interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index were significantly higher in group B (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that 24hPP had a positive correlation with LVMI in the elderly essential hypertension patients (r=0.33, P<0.001). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that 24hPP was the main factor for the increase of LVMI in elderly essential hypertension patients (β=0.90, P<0.001). ConclusionThe 24hPP is positively correlated with LVMI in elderly essential hypertension patients. The 24hPP is an important risk factor for left ventricular structural damage in elderly essential hypertensive patients.