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Summary Aims The DETECT study was performed to obtain representative data about the frequency, distribution, and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the primary care setting in Germany. Methods and results The DETECT study was a cross-sectional clinical-epidemiological survey of a nationally representative sample of 3795 primary care offices and 55 518 patients. Overall, 12.4% of patients were diagnosed with CAD. Stable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction were the most frequent (4.2%) subgroups, followed by status post (s/p) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI, 3.0%) and s/p coronary bypass surgery (2.2%). Patients with CAD were prescribed AT1 receptor antagonists (in 19.4% of cases), beta blockers (57.2%), ACE inhibitors (49.9%), antiplatelet agents (52.7%), statins (43.0%), and long-term nitrates (24.5%). When comparing all CAD patients with social health care insurance to those who had private insurance, private patients had significantly higher rates of revascularisation procedures and use of preventive medications. Conclusion Great potential remains for improving secondary prevention in primary care in Germany to reduce the risk of further coronary or vascular events, especially in patients with social health care insurance