DOHA: Fasting in Ramadan does not have any side effects on patients with heart disease, according to a health expert.
Fasting has no negative impact on patients with stable heart conditions who have no recurrent symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, says Dr Jihad Jaber (pictured), Senior Specialist of Cardiology, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Citing a 2003 study conducted by Dr Jassim Al Suwaidi, Consultant of Cardiology at HMC, Dr Jaber recalled, “During the study, we performed detailed clinical assessments of patients with heart disease, from GCC countries one month before Ramadan, during Ramadan and one month after Ramadan.
“When we analysed results, it was revealed that most patients with stable cardiac disease can fast safely.”
However, patients with heart problems are advised to take extra measures while fasting during Ramadan, especially taking their medication timing into consideration to avoid complications.
They are urged to consult cardiologists on how medication dosage should be administered during Ramadan.
“Patients and doctors may have to explore the possibility of substituting ordinary medications with long-lasting ones to compensate for the daily 15-hour fasting time,” said Dr Jaber.
“A study has revealed that 20 percent of people on regular medication do not take it on schedule in Ramadan and since they tend to take large quantities of food and beverages in the evening, fasting might have a negative impact on their health, especially those with heart conditions,” he said.
Dr Jaber said fasting would adversely affect some patients such as cardiac patients who experience recurrent chest pain, patients with heart failure (atrial fibrillation) who experience fatigue or lack of energy and shortness of breath as they need frequent dosages of diuretic medications, and patients who suffered acute heart attacks (they cannot fast within the six weeks following the heart attack incident).
Similarly, open heart surgery patients should not fast within the six weeks following such surgery), as well as patients with acute valve stenosis or inflammation, cardiac patients on blood thinners or anticoagulants, patients on malignant arrhythmia medications and patients with heart condition that require constant professional observation.
He highlighted health benefits of fasting for patients with cardiovascular conditions and said, “Lower food intake, abstaining from smoking for 15 hours per day and the stress-reduced atmosphere associated with Ramadan will have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system in healthy individuals as well as on patients with heart conditions.”
The Peninsula
