German Heart Report 2013

Abstract

Objectives: The 25th German Heart Report provides a comprehensive analysis of morbidity and mortality in patients with selected heart diseases as well as services and care in cardiology and cardiac surgery in Germany during the period 2011-2012. It is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the German Heart Foundation, the German Cardiac Society, the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology and is based on data from different sources. In addition, trends of the period from 1995 to 2012 are presented.

Results: The trends in morbidity due to cardiac diseases in 2010 and previous years continued in 2011. Compared with data from 1995 to 2010, one can observe: a slight decrease in ischemic heart disease in every age group; a distinct increase in valve diseases, predominantly at age >75 years; an increase in arrhythmias from the age of 45 years on; an increase in cardiac failure, especially beyond the age of 75 years. Compared with data from 2009, the mortality rates in 2011 differ somewhat; there is: a decrease in heart failure and coronary heart disease; no change in arrhythmias; a distinct increase in valvular heart diseases; an additional, small decrease in congenital heart defects. These data are in agreement with findings from other Western countries. Coronary heart disease, the most frequent cardiac disease, has continuously decreased in frequency and mortality since 2000. The underlying reasons are discussed.

Conclusion: This report is an important resource for all parties of the healthcare system regarding heart disease conditions and their treatment in Germany.