Abstract： Objective To investigate the relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) and latent target-organ damage in essential hypertensive patients. Methods Sixty essential hypertensive patients were enrolled and divided into two groups based on their baPWV level :the baPWV normal group (n =24) and the baPWV increasing group( n = 36). Head MRI, cardiac and carotid ultrasound and the microalbuminuria assay were performed in all patients. Results The frequency of silent cerebral infarction, carotid intimal-medial thickness, left ventricular mass index and microalbuminuria in the baPWV increasing group were significantly greater than those in the baPWV normal group( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ). Conclusion BaPWV is associated with latent target-organ damage and is a good surrogate for sub-clinical organ damage in essential hypertensive patients.