Prevalence of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease in adults aged 40–79 years in Germany

In the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1), data on the prevalence of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease were collected from 2008–2011 in a representative population-based sample of 5,901 adults aged 40–79 years. The results of DEGS1 were compared with the prevalence estimates from the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98). The lifetime prevalence of myocardial infarction amongst 40–79 year olds in DEGS1 is 4.7% (women 2.5%; men 7%). In comparison with GNHIES98 a small increase was observed in men, but not in women. The lifetime prevalence of coronary heart disease in adults aged 40–79years in DEGS1 is 9.3% (women 6.4%; men 12.3%). In comparison to GNHIES98 there is a slight reduction only in women. There is a significant inverse relationship between disease prevalence and socioeconomic status. The trend in prevalence of coronary heart disease is comparable with that in other high-income countries. Given a falling incidence of myocardial infarction and a decrease in the mortality rates due to coronary heart disease, the basically stable prevalence rates indicate a positive development in the field of cardiovascular prevention and therapy