[Epidemiology of hypertension in Germany and worldwide].

Hypertension represents a major risk factor for myocardial infarction and the most important risk factor for stroke. Two thirds of strokes and half of myocardial infarctions arise from a systolic blood pressure > 115 mmHg. The relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases is log linear. Hypertension is the leading risk factor of preventable deaths worldwide. High blood pressure accounts for 26% of the total mortality in Germany. The prevalence of hypertension in Germany (55%) is twice the rate in Canada and the USA. Health care indicators such as hypertension awareness, treatment and control in Germany trail behind when compared internationally. Hypertension treatment and control in Germany amount to 26% and 8%, respectively. Concepts for the improvement of health care in patients with high blood pressure are, e.g., improvement of guideline awareness among physicians as well as quality-oriented payment for health care.