Aim To explore the changes of leukocyte rheologic characteristics and cellular adhesion molecules (CAMS) expression in aged patients with hypertension. Methods By using the erythrocyte deformability apparatus, thrombus and platelet adhesion dual-purpose apparatus and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods, the leukocyte deformability (LD), leukocyte adhesion function (LAF), leukocyte CD18 expression, serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) concentration and serum soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) concentration were measured in 104 aged patients with hypertension and 56 controls. Results The leukocyte filtration index (LFI), leukocyte adhesion rate (LAR), leukocyte CD18 expression, sICAM-1 concentration and sVCAM-1 concentration were significantly higher in aged patients with hypertension than those in controls (P<0.001). Remarkable differences of these parameters were found in patients with three stages (P<0.001), and the most obvious increase of the changes was found in stage Ⅲ. In aged patients with hypertension, the LFI was positively related to the LAR (r=0.562,P<0.001), LFI and LAR were positively related to leukocyte CD18 expression, sICAM-1 concentration and sVCAM-1 concentration (r=0.579～0.816,P<0.001). Conclusion It showed that the decrease of LD and the increase of LAF, leukocyte CD18 expression, sICAM-1 concentration and sVCAM-1 concentration might participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension.