The purpose of the literature review is to analyze the current data on the influence of cytokine gene polymorphisms on the occurrence, course, manifestations and outcomes of the most common cardiac, vascular and pulmonary diseases, in the pathogenesis of which inflammation plays a significant role. The range of cytokines under consideration includes classes that potentiate the inflammatory process (pro-inflammatory cytokines), which include TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17 and IL-33, and its inhibitors (anti-inflammatory), such as IL-10, IL-4, TGF-β. The role of cytokine polymorphismsin the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is discussed. The data obtained so far indicate that the content and severity of the effect of cytokine gene polymorphisms on the pathological process depends on the polymorphic locus location, its effect on gene expression, the combination of polymorphism alleles and the ethnic characteristics of patients. © 2021 Stavropol State Medical University. All rights reserved.