Aim To investigate the influence of Shensongyangxin capsule on heart rate variability(HRV) in patients with essential hypertension. Methods 68 patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into 2 groups.32 patients with conventional antihypertensive drug treatment(control group) and 36 patients with Shensongyangxin capsule 0.12 g,3 times/d,4 weeks based on the conventional antihypertensive drug(treatment group).The HRV and the time domain analysis indicator with Holter ECG were measured and analyzed before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results Compared with control group,the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals(SDNN)(126.4±26.1 ms vs 110.8±17.9 ms),within 24 h each successive 5 min normal R-R intervals average of standard deviation(SDANN)(108.4±28.8 ms vs 98.2±16.2 ms),rate-mean-square of the difference of successive R-R interval(rMSSD)(28.7±15.2 ms vs 26.4±15.1 ms) and within 24 h nearby normal R-R interphase sent a value greater than the count of 50 ms total R-R interval percentage(PNN50%)(8.2%±7.1% vs 5.9%±5.3%) were significantly increased in treatment group(P><0.05). Conclusion Shensongyangxin capsule can significantly improve the HRV and the prognosis in the patients with essential hypertension.