Author/Authors :
Alinezhad Namaghi، Maryam نويسنده Biochemistry and Nutrition Research Center and Department of Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , , Hasanzadeh Dalooe، Mahdi نويسنده Department of Cardiology, Ghaem Teaching Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , , Khoshnasab، Amir Hosein نويسنده Department of Cardiology, Ghaem Teaching Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , , Nematy، Mohsen نويسنده Department of Nutrition, Biochemistry of Nutrition, Endoscopic & Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Cancer Research Centers, School of Medicine, Mashhad , , Khoshnasab، Adeleh نويسنده Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Farrokhi، Javad نويسنده University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Norouzy، Abdolreza نويسنده Nutrition and Biochemistry Research Center and Department of Nutrition, Mashhad Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Iran ,
Abstract :
Introduction: Previous studies have indicated that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, specially blood pressure and heart rate (1). In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate has been investigated.
Method: This prospective observational study was conducted on two groups of
individuals. Six patients under hypertension treatment were allocated to the case group
and 12 healthy individuals were selected as the control group. Twenty-four-hour blood
pressure monitoring was carried out during four periods: prior to Ramadan, during the
first ten days and the last ten days of Ramadan, and one month after it. All patients
continued their medication, which was administered twice per day. Twenty-four-hour
mean blood pressure, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were
compared among the groups.
Results: In the case group, there was a significant reduction in subjects’ weight during the
third period of the experiment; also, a significant improvement was observed in the heart
rate during the second and third periods in the case group (P < 0.05, t-test).
Conclusion: This study indicated a significant improvement in the subjects’ heart rate over
second and third periods of measurements; also, no high-risk variations in blood pressure
or heart rate were observed among the subjects.
