Background Non-pharmacological methods of treatment are
crucial to high blood pressure therapy. In this respect physical
activity seems worth particular attention, as it reduces blood
pressure, prolongs life in good health and reduces mortality.
Aims to assess patients’ knowledge about non-pharmacological
methods of treatment in arterial hypertension, compliance
to physician’s advice and the influence of physician’s
advice on patients’ behaviour.

Material and methods 201 consecutive patients of Outpatient
Hypertensive Clinic of First Department of Cardiology
and Hypertension, Jagiellonian University Medical
College, treated for at least one year filled in a study form.
Exclusion criteria: age under 18 years, pregnancy. The
questionnaire enquired about the course of arterial hypertension,
familiarity with methods and following with treatment,
awareness of the importance of physical activity, taking regular exercise, and quality of physician’s advice in
the matter. 34.8% of the examined consented to have their
medical documentation studied, thus allowing the inclusion
of anthropometric data and information about hypertension
treatment course in the analysis.

Results Mean age was 54.3 (± 13.7) years. 92.2% of the
examined took their blood pressure at least once a week.
91.5% of those under pharmacological treatment declared
regular medication intake. 54.9% of the surveyed claimed
that they had never heard about non-pharmacological
methods of arterial hypertension treatment. The physician
was the main source of information on the problem. 30.5%
of patients were insufficiently informed what kind of exercise
they should take. Physical activity was declared by
80.7% of the questioned; regular activity by 22.8%. A correlation
was observed between the quality of physician’s
advice about benefits from regular physical activity and
taking exercises regularly (p = 0.01) and/or irregularly
(p = 0.04). Associations were also observed between physician’s
advice about other non-pharmacological methods
of treatment and complying with them.

Conclusion There is insufficient patient’s knowledge on
non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension, resulting in insufficient compliance with these recommendations.
Physician’s advice and its quality are important in non-
-pharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension.