As one of the world’s most widespread diseases, hypertension not only poses its own specific threats and challenges but it also contributes to heightened risk of various cardiovascular diseases and renal failure. Fortunately, increased scientific inquiry is contributing to a better understanding of hypertension, its contribution to numerous disease process, and more treatment options for patients with chronic elevated blood pressure.

The latest in clinical trial research was highlighted at Hypertension 2008, the 18th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), held jointly with the 22nd Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and the German Society of Hypertension, from June 14-19, 2008.

It had been 6 years since these organizations have held a joint conference and the resulting program offered a unique educational opportunity focused on the study, prevention, and care of hypertension With more than 8,500 participants, this meeting has been the largest scientific meeting on hypertension in the world. Attendees convened at the International Congress Centre in Berlin, Germany, where investigators presented hundreds of oral and poster sessions, state-of-the-art lectures, breakfast workshops, plenary sessions, late breaker posters, and satellite educational symposia.

Among the major topics of interest:

  • the prevention of kidney disease, heart disease and stroke,
  • hypertension in the elderly,
  • hypertension in developing countries,
  • recent results from clinical trials,
  • work on a vaccine for hypertension,
  • lessons learned from evolutionary aspects of cardiovascular biology,
  • the latest in stem cell therapy, and
  • the global significance of cardiovascular disease.

View the daily Hypertension Video News Online live from Berlin:

Meeting Highlights