Dear Friends, Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), it is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you to the Hypertension Berlin 2008 meeting, organised under the auspices of the European and International Societies of Hypertension. Our hosts, Professor Detlev Ganten and colleagues, are famous for their outstanding scientific contribution to the knowledge of hypertension.

This meeting provides you a unique opportunity to gather with colleagues from around the world in an exciting educational and professional environment, devoted to the study, prevention, and care of hypertension. One of the unique strengths of this program is to link basic, clinical and population science.

Despite the many scientific advances of the past few decades, much work remains to be done. Hypertension has become the number one cause of death in the world according to a WHO supported investigation. Although we all do our best to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular complications, diabetes and obesity continue to increase worldwide. Primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases require a global approach of the cardiovascular risk, and an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of hypertension.

Six years after the last joint meeting in Prague, both Societies are pleased to invite you to the 18th meeting of the European Society of Hypertension and the 22nd meeting of the International Society of Hypertension.