ESH Annual Meeting 2007

Message from the President of the European Society of Hypertension

Prof. S. E. Kjeldsen

Hypertension has become the number one cause of death in the world according to a WHO supported investigation. Along with this knowledge widespread research is being done on epidemiology, etiology and treatment of hypertension. For many years such research was almost restricted to the industrialized part of the world. However, with hypertension now emerging as a major health problem also in the developing countries relevant research is fl ourishing also there. Hypertension is associated with diabetes, overweight, lipid disorders and imbalances in autonomic nervous regulation and over-activity in the renin-angiotensin system. We know that infl uence on the heart, brain, kidneys and other tissues can be detected early and that hypertension can be successfully treated before established disease breaks out.

With the almost exploding amount of research being done worldwide the need for Scientific meetings where investigators may come together and discuss or exchange data and ideas is almost unlimited. The European Society of Hypertension was created in the early 1980’s; the Society has expanded steadily in size and activity and is now probably the most infl uencial hypertension society in the world. Members and European Hypertension Specialists come from all countries in Europe including all former Eastern European Countries, and from North Africa and the Middle East. From the year 2000 the Society changed from organising Scientific congresses every second year to annually - meeting in places like Gothenburg, Prague, Paris and Madrid. But based on long-standing traditions and meritorious work of the Milan group, the Society keeps coming back to Milan every second year. The 17th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) will be held in Milan, Italy, on June 15-19, 2007 under the leadership of professor Giuseppe Mancia.

The 2007 ESH meeting will contain a broad range of clinical and experimental research with numerous State-of-the-Art lectures, Oral and Poster Sessions with original research, Plenary Sessions, Debates, Teachings Sessions, Breakfast Workshops, Integrated Sessions for ESH Working Groups and Satellite Symposia. The European Society of Hypertension has in various aspects developed educational activities in cooperation with other Scientific Societies including the European Society of Cardiology. One of these is recognitions and accreditations for medical specialities. Joint session with ESC will be organised and new joint hypertension guidelines released.

Delegates may also enjoy the hospitality of the city of Milan including the cultural programme organised by the ESH congress. On behalf of the European Society of Hypertension, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the Milan meeting!

Sverre E. Kjeldsen
President of the European Society of Hypertension