Methods In the present study, 69 male patients with essential hypertension at different stages were compared with a group of age-matched normotensive controls. β-adrenoreceptor maximum bound volume (Bmax) in pedpheml lymphocytes was measured by 3H-dihydroalprenolol(3 H-DHA) radio ligand binding.β-adrenoreoeptor responsiveness was determined by Salbutamol(injection). Results In patients with essential hypertension at stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ, Bmax was significantly higher (P＜0.01 and P＜0.001, respectively) and the chronotropic doses of Salbutamol reqaired to increase the heart rate by 30 beats/min (CD30) were significantly lower(P＜0.01 and P＜0.001,respectively) than in age-matched normotensive control subjects.In patients with essential hypertension at stage Ⅲ, Bmax was significantly lower and CD30 was significantly higher (both P＜0.01) than those in the age-matched normotensive control subjects.Bmax was significantly higher and CD30 was significantly lower (both P＜0.001) in patients with essential hypertension and with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than that in patients with essential hypertension but without LVH. In patients with essential hypertension and heart failure, Bmax was significantly lower and CD30 was significantly higher (both P＜0.001) than those in patients with essential hypertension without heart failure.Conclusions The changes of β-adrenoreceptor density and function were related to hypertension,hypertension complicated with ventricular hypertrophy,and heart failure. They may be viewed as indexes of the condition in the patients with essential hypertension.