Essential hypertensive patients on monotherapy (Atenolol, a beta-blocker), belonging to the Jat Sikh Punjabi population sub-group, and normotensive healthy, age-, sex- and socio-economic status-matched control individuals belonging to the same population sub-group were assessed for oxidative DNA damage and oxidative stress. Leukocytic oxidative DNA damage (measured using modified enzymatic comet assay/SCGE assay), oxidant status (total oxidative stress, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde levels and oxidative stress index) and lipid profile was determined for each studied participant. The mean oxidative DNA damage and oxidative status of hypertensive patient group was found to be higher than in the control group (p<0.001). Statistically significant increases in total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides were also observed in the hypertensive patient group (p<0.001). Oxidative DNA damage showed a statistically significant positive correlation with blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and total oxidative stress levels and negative correlation with total antioxidant capacity. The findings suggest that oxidative stress could be a cause of observed DNA damage. Studies on a larger cohort are underway to determine confirmation of these findings.