Heart patients, like patients with other chronic diseases, must take precautions while fasting during the month of Ramadan, and seek the advice of a specialist doctor to determine the appropriate dates and doses for taking medications to avoid any complications.
It is necessary for the patient to consult a specialist cardiologist to find out what medications should be taken during the month of Ramadan. The doctor evaluates the patient’s condition in terms of the possibility of replacing the usual medications that the patient takes with others in order to compensate for the period of fasting, which may extend to fifteen hours.
In this context, interventional cardiology consultant, Dr. Wissam Al-Sahli, confirms that fasting does not negatively affect heart patients who are in stable condition, and who do not suffer from recurring symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, and fasting is often beneficial for them, as it helps reduce the amounts of… The food that is eaten helps to avoid smoking and reduce stress, which contributes to reducing the general risks resulting from heart disease and reflects positively on the patient’s health.
He explains that fasting may affect some groups of heart patients, for whom fasting is not recommended, and they are:
Patients who suffer from recurrent chest pain, and patients with infarction heart failure who suffer from severe fatigue and shortness of breath need to take diuretics continuously. Heart attack patients who cannot usually fast during the six weeks following the heart attack. Heart surgery patients who cannot usually fast during the six weeks following surgery. Patients with stenosis or severe inflammation of the valves. Patients taking blood clotting medications. Patients with arrhythmia of the malignant type treated with medications. Heart patients whose conditions require staying under observation in the hospital.
Tips to follow
Dr. Wissam pointed out a number of important medical tips that heart patients must follow, including:
Reduce the amount of food, eat it in stages, as this contributes to positive changes in hormones and metabolism, stimulates the production of good cholesterol and reduces harmful cholesterol. Avoid fatty foods rich in fats and salts, as weight loss contributes to improvement and positive changes. Do not drink large amounts of fluids because it may cause difficulty breathing. We generally advise individuals to eat small amounts of food in 4 portions divided throughout the day instead of eating two large meals during the month of Ramadan. It is necessary to exercise, such as walking, even if it is for a short period, as it supports heart health.
