Diminished compliance with nonpharmacologic antihypertensive therapy over time

Changes in weight, sodium intake (as estimated from urine sodium excretion), and exercise (measured by physical activity points) in patients with mild diastolic hypertension treated with combined dietary modification. Despite initial compliance, patients tended to return toward but not to baseline levels over a 48-month period. Although not shown, there was a persistent reduction in the number of alcoholic drinks from 3.6 to 2.5 drinks per week.