Abstract: Objective To explore the impact of hypertension on life expectancy in the middle aged Chinese population based on a prospective cohort study. Methods From 1982 to 1985, a cardiovascular risk factor survey was conducted on 10 groups of subjects aged 35 to 59 across China and the death outcomes were followed up. According to the baseline blood pressure level, the subjects were divided into normal blood pressure group, high-normal blood pressure group and hypertension group. The average life expectancy of the subjects with different blood pressure levels was calculated using the area under survival curve method and was compared among groups. Results A total of 24 096 subjects were included in the analysis, including 12 161 males and 11 935 females, with an average follow-up of（19.7±4.1） years. Multivariate analysis showed that compared with subjects in the normal blood pressure group, the life expectancy of the subjects in the hypertension group was reduced. The reduction value was 7.75（7.64-7.84） years in the total population, 6.58（6.45-6.72） years in men, 8.36（8.26-8.47） years in women, 6.60（6.53-6.68） years in urban areas, 8.72（8.60-8.86） years in rural areas, respectively. Compared with subjects in the normal blood pressure group, the life expectancy of subjects in the high-normal blood pressure group was reduced, too. The reduction value was 2.38（2.27-2.48） years in the total population, 1.64（1.52-1.77） years in men, 2.60（2.51-2.68） years in women, 1.79（1.72-1.86） years in urban areas, 2.45（2.35-2.57） years in rural areas. Conclusion Both hypertension and high-normal blood pressure can reduce the life expectancy of middle aged people in China.