Objective: To explore the effect of depression on the sleep quality, and the circadian rhythm of ambulatory blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: A total of 73 older patients with hypertension were screened for depression and divided into two groups. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the circadian rhythm of ambulatory blood pressure were compared between the non-depressed (control) and depressed (case) group. Results: In the case group, 24 h ambulatory SBP and DBP, and nocturnal SBP and DBP were higher than in the control group, and the circadian rhythm of non-dipper was higher (67.22% vs 40.13%, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between PSQI and depression (r = 0.432, P < 0.01). Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between sleep quality and depression in older patients with hypertension. Depression increases the circadian rhythm of non-dipper in older patients with hypertension. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.