The influence of a family history of hypertension on body mass index, serum lipids, uric acid, blood sugar and haematocrit was investigated in 579 young normotensives aged 19-35 years with or without a parental history of hypertension. Body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were significantly higher in offspring with a parental history of hypertension than in those without. There were no differences in blood sugar and haematocrit between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that a parental history of hypertension influenced levels of body mass index, triglycerides and uric acid, independently of the level of blood pressure.