Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) it is my great privilege to invite you to join your many friends and colleagues at Hypertension Berlin 2008, a joint meeting between the European and International Societies of Hypertension.

We are delighted that this event will hosted by our esteemed German colleagues and encourage all active workers in the field of hypertension and cardiovascular as well as metabolic disease to participate.

In order to uphold the standards for scientific excellence that previous meetings have set, we are planning a broad programme with wide appeal to basic, clinical, and population scientists and students at all levels of experience, supported by renowned scientists and clinicians from all over the world. We also plan a comprehensive update on hypertension and its links to other cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus aimed at practicing physicians and general practitioners and other primary care workers.

The meeting will be a setting for presentation of new and valuable research results by both young and established investigators. Excellence in the field of prevention and management of heart disease and stroke in hypertension, and related cardiovascular diseases will be acknowledged through our prestigious awards to which we invite all ISH members to nominate candidates.

Scientific exchange and education are of course the primary reasons for you to attend this meeting. However the events in Berlin 2008 promise much more in terms of great hospitality and good food in a dynamic, culturally and historically unique landscape in the heart of Europe.

I look forward to welcoming your active contribution to what we know will again be a lively and successful meeting.

Yours sincerely,

Lars H Lindholm
ISH President