Background: Epidemiological studies have shown an association between the ACE gene I/D polymorphism with arterial hypertension, specifically the DD genotype, in different populations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between ACE polymorphisms (Insertion, Deletion or I/D) and essential hypertension in a population of Lima, Peru. Material and methods: This is a study of cases (essential arterial hypertension) and controls, with determination of the ACE I/D genotype. Results: Cases (65) and controls (39) had a mean age (standard deviation) of 74.3 (7.9) and 72.6 (6.5) (p = 0.24). In cases, the genotype frequencies DD, ID, and II were 6 (9.2%), 28 (43.1%) and 31 (47.7%), respectively. In controls, the genotype frequencies DD, ID, and II were 6 (15.4%), 14 (35.9%) and 19 (48.7%). The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis in cases and controls was p = 0.93 and p = 0.23, respectively. No significant associations between genotype DD vs. ID + II (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.17-1.87, p = 0.34) or II vs. DD + ID (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.43-2.12, p = 0.92) and essential hypertension were found. Conclusions: The ACE I/D polymorphism was not associated with hypertension in our sample.