[Blood pressure in Germany--current status and trends]

The blood pressure measurements performed in the course of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 showed higher levels in men compared to women and higher levels in the Eastern part of Germany as compared to the West. Generally, blood pressure increased with age. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in men, reaching almost 30%, as compared to women (26.9%), and higher in the East compared to the West. A comparison of data of 1998 and data of the Health Examination Survey East-West 1991 reveals an increase in the incidence of hypertension in the West and a decrease in the East. This seems to imply a convergence of the two regions on a high level.