Blood pressure in Germany 2008–2011

High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease. It is a main determinant of morbidity and mortality in Germany. In the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) the blood pressure of 7,096 adults aged 18–79 years was measured in a standardised way using oscillometric blood pressure devices (Datascope Accutorr Plus). The average of the second and third measurements was used for analysis. The mean systolic blood pressure was 120.8 mmHg in women and 127.4 mmHg in men, while the mean diastolic blood pressure was 71.2 mmHg in women and 75.3 mmHg in men. Blood pressure values were hypertensive (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg) in 12.7% of women and in 18.1% of men. Hypertension (defined as having hypertensive blood pressure or taking antihypertensive medication in known cases of hypertension) was present in 29.9% of women and 33.3% of men. Almost 75% of the survey’s highest age group, 70–79, had hypertension. DEGS1 demonstrates that high blood pressure remains a highly prevalent risk factor in the population at large. The methodology employed in measuring blood pressure has been improved as compared to that of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) and it will be possible to draw comparisons soon, once a procedure for calibrating the 1998 data has been finalised