Background: Apolipoprotein E has been one of the most thoroughly studied genetic polymorphisms, particularly for its effects on lipid profiles and coronary heart disease risk. This study investigated the relationship between the apolipoprotein E polymorphism and essential hypertension in a Korean population. Methods: The subjects (n=1,243) were participants in a population-based study in Incheon metropolitan City, Korea. The apolipoprotein E polymorphism was determined using a polymerase chain reaction method. Results: The frequencies of the genotypes did not differ significantly between the hypertensive groups (60.0% ε2 / ε2, 30.8% ε2 / ε3, 44.4% ε2 / ε4, 33.3% ε3 / ε3, 32.3% ε3 / ε4, and 15.4% ε4 / ε4; p=0.498). After adjusting for other risk factors, genotypes were not associated with hypertension(OR 5.74, 95% CI 0.81-40.76, ε2 / ε2 vs. ε3 / ε3; OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.60-1.47, ε2 / ε3 vs. ε3 / ε3; OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.30-4.89, ε2 / ε4 vs. ε3 / ε3; OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.56-1.13, ε3 / ε4 vs. ε3 / ε3; OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.06-1.45, ε4 / ε4 vs. ε3 / ε3). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the apolipoprotein E polymorphism is not associated with hypertension.