Fasting has no negative impact on patients with stable heart conditions who have no recurrent symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. In fact, fasting could be beneficial for them. Lower food intake; abstaining from smoking, which will relieve the system of tobacco’s harmful effects; and the stress-reduced atmosphere associated with the Holy Month of Ramadan; will reduce heart disease risk in general, and also have a positive impact on people with heart conditions.
Anyway, people with heart problems should take extra precautions while fasting during Ramadan and consult their cardiologists, particularly in determining the proper timing and dosage of their medications. And substituting ordinary medication with long-lasting ones.
Advice for fasting Ramadan:
Heart patients are advised to:
- Eat in a small portion.
- Avoid fatty and salty foods.
- Avoid large quantities of beverages (which could lead to shortness of breath).
- consume four smaller meals instead of two large meals.
- maintain physical exercise, even by taking a short walk.
- Take Ramadan as an opportunity to reduce weight.
Smaller food portions trigger favorable hormonal and metabolic changes which will increase the production of good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol. The outcome of these factors will be best if patients manage to reduce weight as a result.
Fasting (not recommended) in the following heart patients:
- Patient with AORTIC VALVE STENOSIS (narrowed valve)
- Patient within 6 weeks following a heart attack
- Patient within 6 weeks following heart surgery
- Patient with recurrent angina
- Patient with heart conditions that require medication like: anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, frequent dose of diuretics.