The Effect of Fasting Ramadan on Diabetic Patients with High Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

One of the common questions for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease is whether it is safe for them to fast during Ramadan. Yet, studies on the effects of Ramadan fasting on blood lipids, blood pressure, anthropometric parameters and other cardiovascular risk factors are scarce, and have given inconclusive results. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors including biochemical indices, blood pressure and main anthropometric parameters. This Prospective observational study was conducted at the CCU (Coronary care unit) and medical wards of Madinat Zayed hospital one of Al Dhafra hospitals, under Seha Abu Dhabi. Fifty-Six diabetic patients admitted with cardiovascular events including 48 males and 8 females with a previous history of cardiovascular event completed the study. Their age ranged between 32 and 91 years with a mean of 54.0 ± 10 years. A non-significant slight biochemical modification with regard to the metabolic profile pre, during and post-Ramadan period was reported: eGFR, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL were increased yet, triglycerides and creatinine were non-significantly lower during Ramadan. Findings also showed a non-significant decrease in the post Ramadan blood pressure values which could be attributed to the metabolic switch.