1. ¹McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2. ²Franz-Volhard Klinik, Charité Campus Buch, Berlin, Germany

Correspondence: Professor AM Sharma, Canada Research Chair for Cardiovascular Obesity Research and Management, McMaster University, Hamilton General Hospital, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8L 2X2. E-mail: sharma@ccc.mcmaster.ca

Received 12 May 2004; Revised 24 October 2004; Accepted 21 January 2005; Published online 12 April 2005.

Abstract

The Third International Symposium on Obesity and Hypertension (ISOH'03) was held on 23–25, October 2003 at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin-Buch, Germany. The meeting, which consisted largely of invited lectures, presented a state-of-the-art overview of the genetic and molecular mechanisms that link obesity and hypertension. The over 40 oral presentations were supplemented by around 90 poster presentations from 34 countries. The meeting was attended by around 250 participants from 54 countries. This paper briefly reviews the contents of the invited lectures presented at this meeting covering topics ranging from genetics, molecular mechanisms, pathophysiology, cardiovascular risk, to the management of patients with obesity-related hypertension. Stimulated by the continuing success of these Symposia, the organizers are currently planning to hold a Fourth International Symposium on Obesity and Hypertension (ISOH'05) in Berlin: a tentative date for this meeting has been set for 27–29, October 2005.