Abstract
BackgroundPrevious research has shown that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, however there are controversies. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors has been investigated.MethodThis is a prospective observational study that was carried out in a group of patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (including history of documented previous history of either coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease in past 10 y). Eighty two volunteers including 38 male and 44 female, aged 29–70 y, mean 54.0 ± 10 y, with a previous history of either coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease were recruited. Subjects attended the metabolic unit after at least 10 h fasting, before and after Ramadan who were been fasting for at least 10 days. A fasting blood sample was obtained, blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Lipids profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin, homocysteine (hcy), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and complete blood count (CBC) were analyzed on all blood samples.ResultsA significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk (based on Framingham risk score) was found (13.0 ± 8 before Ramadan and 10.8 ±7 after Ramadan, P <0.001, t test).There was a significant higher HDL-c, WBC, RBC and platelet count (PLT), and lower plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference after Ramadan (P <0.05, t test). The changes in FBS, insulin,Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), hcy, hs-CRP and diastolic blood pressure before and after Ramadan were not significant (P >0.05, t test).ConclusionsThis study shows a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease.
Highlights
Ramadan is a month for Muslims during which they abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to sunset.During month of Ramadan there are changes in the quality of food and eating patterns
This study shows a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease
Effect of Ramadan fasting on cholesterol was independent of existing coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension and taking statins (P = 0.04, ANOVA)
Summary
Ramadan is a month for Muslims during which they abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to sunset. During month of Ramadan there are changes in the quality of food and eating patterns. Fasting during Ramadan is essentially a radical change in lifestyle for the period of one lunar month that may affect cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebro-vascular disease (CVD) [4,5]. Lipids profile are affected by factors such as changes in the dietary habits, using different dietary fats, increased consumption of refined sugar, and reduced physical activity [7]. Previous research has shown that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, there are controversies. The effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors has been investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
