[Prevalence of arterial hypertension in the population of Western Germany: Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study].
Regional disparities in the prevalence of arterial hypertension in Germany have been reported in population-based surveys. An analysis comparing the SHIP study in the north-eastern region of Germany (1997-2001) with the MONICA/KORA-S4 study (1999-2001) in the south-west of Germany showed a significantly higher age-adjusted prevalence in the north-eastern population. The Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study is a population based prospective cohort study designed to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal data of risk factors, subclinical signs of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular endpoints in the Ruhr area of Germany. A total of 4,443 subjects without coronary artery disease aged 45-75 years could be included between 2000 und 2003 and the prevalence of hypertension, defined by JNC-7, was 63% in men and 52% in women. Low rates of hypertension awareness, treatment and control rates in population-based surveys as well as in recently published high risk cohorts with known coronary artery disease in Germany elucidate the need to optimize the strategies of screening, treatment and follow-up in primary and secondary prevention. Coronary artery calcification was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular endpoints even in the stage of prehypertension. The risk-benefit ratio for an early treatment of these patients could be improved by advanced risk stratification, assessing the level of coronary artery calcification.
Westdeutsches Herzzentrum, Klinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland. Michael.Horacek@uk-essen.de
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D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution