Results: The group consisted of 56 subjects (70.1 ± 6.6 years), 23 (41.1%) in the GC and 33 (58.9%) in the HAS. Except for LV hypertrophy, more frequent in the HAS group compared to HG (34.4% versus 4.8% respectively; p=0.017), all structural echocardiographic findings were similar. Tissue Doppler analysis revealed no differences between the groups (septal e’: 8.0 ± 1.5 vs. 7.2 ± 1.9 cm/s; p=0.083 and lateral e’: 9.8 ± 2.2 versus 8.7 ± 2.0 cm/s; p=0.074, respectively, for GC and HAS). A longer E‑wave deceleration time was observed for HAS group (253 ± 62 versus 208 ± 36 ms in GC; p=0.003). Conclusion: In the analysis of diastolic function in elderly, tissue Doppler imaging was not able to discriminate hypertensive individuals, with the greatest potential for the occurrence of diastolic dysfunction, to the non‑hypertensive individuals.The E‑wave deceleration time proved to be a valuable parameter in this population. (Arq Bras Cardiol: Imagem cardiovasc. 2014;27(3):184‑190)