Hypertension: Frequency
How widespread is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
Currently, about 35 million citizens in Germany (almost 44 percent) are affected by hypertension. This applies to all citizens - starting from birth. However, the group of people under 20 years can be excluded from the calculation, as hypertension is currently rare at this age.
If we exclude those under 20 from the survey, calculating only citizens over 20 years, more than 50 percent of citizens would be hypertension patients.
The older people get, the more individuals suffer from elevated blood pressure. Until about the age of 60, more men than women are affected. The ratio of men to women with elevated blood pressure reverses beyond the age of 60. Now the number of women with higher blood pressure exceeds that of hypertensive men.
Hypertension by Age and Gender
| Age |
Women |
Men |
| 18 - 29 years |
1.3 % |
8.4 % |
| 30 - 39 years |
4.8 % |
11.4 % |
| 40 - 49 years |
17.2 % |
26.2 % |
| 50 - 59 years |
34.6 % |
41.7 % |
| 60 - 69 years |
60.7 % |
58.8 % |
| 70 - 79 years |
74.7 % |
73.6 % |
The thresholds for hypertension have repeatedly come into focus in recent years. In America, the thresholds were drastically lowered. This led to a sudden increase in the number of people now classified as hypertensive. In Europe, however, the old thresholds are largely maintained. Some changes have occurred, especially for those under 65 years.
We have, of course, followed this discussion. In our article "Blood Pressure Normal Values," we report in detail on the development of the thresholds for hypertension in recent years.
Sources:
This article is medically reviewed. Last updated by Sabine Croci (10/2024).
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.
Related Articles:
- Blood Pressure Normal Values (Table)
- Blood pressure normal values, target values, and classification of blood pressure by age
- High Blood Pressure in Children
- Hypertension Frequency
- Grades and Stages of Hypertension
- Do I have high blood pressure?
- High Blood Pressure - Arterial Hypertension
- High Blood Pressure Symptoms
- Isolated Systolic Hypertension
- Masked Hypertension
