Aim To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on blood pressure and expression of myocardial angiotensin Ⅱ receptor-1, angiotensin Ⅱ receptor-2 in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods The localization of angiotensin receptor-1 and angiotensin receptor-2 receptor protein in myocardium was investigated by immunohistochemistric assays. The levels of angiotensin receptor-1 and angiotensin receptor-2 mRNA expression were detected by in situ hybridization. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed with the tail-cuff method before and after treatment with atorvastatin every 2 weeks. Blood sample was taken for the determination of serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). Results SBP in all SHR groups was much higher than that in WKY group before experiment(p<0.01). SBP was significantly decreased in 50 mg atorvastatin group at 4 weeks and 6 weeks (p<0.01). Compared with SHR control group, there was a significant reduction in serum TC, TG and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in 50 mg atorvastatin group (p<0.05, p<0.01 ). The level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced merely in 10 mg atorvastatin group (p<0.05 ). The levels of angiotensin receptor-1, angiotensin receptor-2 protein and angiotensin receptor-1, angiotensin receptor-2 mRNA in SHR control group were significantly higher than those in WKY group (p<0.01). After 6 weeks, angiotensin receptor-1 protein level and angiotensin receptor-1 mRNA expression in 50 mg atorvastatin group were significantly lower than those in SHR control group (p<0.01), whenas angiotensin receptor-2 protein level and angiotensin receptor-2 mRNA expression were markedly higher than those in SHR control group (p<0.01). Conclusion Atorvastatin can significantly lower blood pressure, and down-regulat angiotensin receptor-1 and up-regulat angiotensin receptor-2 in myocardium.