ObjectiveIn this meta-analysis, we attempted to derive pooled estimates for the putative associations between various cardiovascular–renal disorders and theM235Tpolymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene.MethodsCase–control studies were combined, using the Mantel and Haenszel approach. JointPvalues for continuous variables were calculated by Stouffer's method. Continuous measurements reported in different units were expressed on a percentage scale using the intrastudy mean of theMMgenotype as denominator.ResultsThe computerized database used for this analysis included 69 reports with an overall sample size of 27 906 subjects. Overall, possession of theTallele was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. In comparison with theMMreference group (number of studies,n= 32), the excess risk was 31% (P= 0.001) inTThomozygotes and 11% (P= 0.03) inTMheterozygotes. The sensitivity analysis showed that this association was present only in whites (Tallelic frequency,f= 42.2%), but not in blacks (f= 77.0%) or Asians (f= 78.0%). Atherosclerotic complications (n= 12), renal microvascular disorders (n= 13), cardiomyopathy (n= 2) or diabetic retinopathy (n= 3) were not correlated with theM235Tpolymorphism. Publication bias was observed for hypertension, but not for coronary heart disease, including myocardial infarction, and for microvascular nephropathy. Futhermore, in comparison with theMMcontrol group, the circulating angiotensinogen levels (n= 8) were raised by 11 and 7% (P= 0.01) inTTandTMsubjects, respectively. In contrast, plasma levels of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (n= 4) and body mass index (n= 15) were not associated with theTallele.ConclusionTheTallele encoding angiotensinogen is not associated with atherosclerotic or microvascular complications, but in Caucasians behaves as a marker for hypertension. This association, which may have been inflated by publication bias, does not necessarily imply causality.