[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.