We investigated the role of gene polymorphisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen, endothelial NO (eNO) synthase, and bradykinin receptor B2 in determining the cardiovascular system structure and function in hypertension and "athletic heart" syndrome. Using a PCR-based method, 114 hypertensive patients and 94 athletes were genotyped for I/D polymorphism of ACE, M235T angiotensinogen (ANG), Glu298 Asp endothelial synthase (eNOS), and type 2 receptor for bradykinin (BDKR2). Echocardiography and a 24 hour blood pressure monitoring being performed. The (+)-allel of BDKR2 gene was associated with the left ventricular hypertrophy and greater wall thickness in athletes and hypertensive subjects. The hypertensive patients, that were homozygous for Glu298 allele of eNOS, demonstrated a lower level of diastolic blood pressure than did those with Glu298 Asp and Asp298 Asp genotypes. At the same time, the ACE and AND gene polymorphisms displayed no association with the cardiac structure and function.