Human hypertension is an example of a complex, multifactorial, polygenic disease. We therefore hypothesized that variations in polymorphisms in genes that encode inflammation molecules may modulate the susceptibility to hypertension and refractory hypertension. In the present study, we have analyzed IL10 -627 C>A, IL12B -1188 A>C, TNFA -238 G>A, TNFA -308G>A and CD40 -1 C>T polymorphisms in three different study groups (controls, hypertensive patients and refractory hypertension patients) involving a total of 440 subjects. The conclusions of this study are: 1) The population included in this study presents similar demographic features and cardiovascular risk factors profile to other populations described in Spain. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and retinopathy, as well as treatment, are as expected for the type of population studied. 2) Variations in IL10 -627C>A polymorphisms are associated with high blood pressure and variations in TNFA -308 G>A polymorphisms are associated to resistant hypertension. 3) There are no differences between controlled hypertensive patients and resistant hypertensive patients in the mean value of several inflammatory markers. In the same way there are no differences in the mean value of several inflammatory markers when patients are grouped by variations in polymorphisms. 4) Mean values of inflammatory markers are not related to target organdamage. Variations in polymorphisms are not related to target organ damage.