Aim To observe the changes of subglossal collateral vessels of patients with hypertension. Methods Subglossal collateral vessels of 92 patients with hypertension were observed, compared with that of 86 normal people. Results It was suggested that the changes of subglossal collateral vessels of patients with hypertension are more serious than that of normal people. The rate of abnormal subglossal collateral vessels, which is more than Ⅱ°, is 87.04%. The older the patients or the longer the course of disease are, the more serious changes of the subglossal collateral vessels are. The changes are subglossal collateral vessels' extension, distortion, expansion, and so on. Conclusion The changes of subglossal collateral vessels have high value in demonstrating therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medical science and identifying the patient's conditions.