Objective To investigate the characteristics and associated factors of long-term blood pressure variability in the elderly in urban area of Beijing.Methods A survey was conducted comprising a sample of 1394 subjects, non-stroke population over 60 years old, which were sampled from Dongcheng District (former Chongwen District) and Shijingshan District of Beijing, using stratified cluster random sampling method, physical examination and blood pressure monitoring were underwent in every follow-up.Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the characteristics and associated factors of long-term blood pressure variability in the elderly.Results In this cohort systolic blood pressure variability was 12.75 ± 2.56mmHg, diastolic blood pressure variability was 8.89 ± 1.72mmHg, blood pressure variability of female was significantly higher than thats in male (P <0.05), blood pressure variability in hypertensive elderly was significantly higher than non-hypertensive elderly (P <0.001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability reference ranges were 7.64 ~ 16.11 mmHg, 5.15 ~ 12.0 l mmHg, respectively.Blood pressure variability increases with the increasing of age and mean blood pressure levels (P <0.001); Multiple linear regression analysis showed that increasing in systolic blood pressure, ageing, women, increasing in body mass index and hyperlipidemia are risk factors of systolic blood pressure variability; Increasing in diastolic blood pressure, ageing, increasing in body mass index, are risk factors of diastolic blood pressure variability, while very light alcohol consumption may be a protective factor.Conclusion Mean blood pressure, age, gender, body mass index, hyperlipidemia and alcohol are main factors affecting long-term blood pressure variability in the elderly.To control blood pressure is the most effective measures to reduce blood pressure variability in the elderly.