Sodium restriction, water intake, and diuretic regimen in patients with congestive heart failure

Abstract

We have read the article published by Riegel et al.1 with great interest and enthusiasm. Briefly, the behavioral adherence of patients with chronic congestive heart failure (HF) to dietary salt, fluid restriction and diuretic use has been prospectively evaluated. The overall adherence rates have been found to be 29% for low sodium diet, 45% for fluid restriction and 72% for diuretic regimen at the end of the 3 month follow up period. Although the restriction level of dietary sodium is not so meticulously judged by self-report, it has the lowest adherence rate among the behavioral adherence patterns as reported by the authors