The aim of the study was the assessment of power spectrum of heart rate variability in young people with family history of hypertension. The study included healthy subjects in their second or third decade of their life. According to the family history of hypertension, the following groups were specified: group A--both parents hypertensive (n = 30, age = 24.5 +/- 4.0 years), group B--only one parent hypertensive (n = 94, age = 24.1 +/- 5.1 years) and group C--both parents normotensive (n = 35, age = 25.9 +/- 7.4 years). METHODS: HRV analysis was performed using CardioPSA System, Medatec, Belgium. In every person, 30 minute ECG was assessed: 15 min.lying, 15 min standing. For data analysis Fast Fourier transform was used, total variability, LF (0.04-0.15 Hz) and HF (0.15-0.40, Hz) components were calculated. We observed similar values of HRV components in all groups. Subjects with family history of hypertension showed however a tendency towards higher LF values in lying position. Standing caused in all groups decrease of total variability, increase of LF component and decrease of HF component. Changes were less pronounced in subjects with both parents hypertensive. Young adults with both parents hypertensive have shown a tendency towards higher values of LF component and less pronounced changes of HRV components after standing up.