Abstract: Blood pressure variability is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and kidney damage and it has higher predictive value than mean arterial pressure in terms of its occurrence, development and severity. It is also one of the important indicators for evaluating the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, early judgment of blood pressure variability in hypertensive patients and active intervention to prevent further development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events have become an important link in the process of hypertension management. This article will review the definition and classification of blood pressure variability, the significance of controlling blood pressure variability and the efficacy of common antihypertensive drugs.