RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Impact of fasting in Ramadan in patients with cardiac disease
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1579
OP 1583
VO 26
IS 10
A1 Jassim Al Suwaidi
A1 Mohammad Zubaid
A1 Wael A. Al-Mahmeed
A1 Ibrahim Al-Rashdan
A1 Haitham Amin
A1 Abdulbari Bener
A1 Hadi R. Hadi
A1 Ashraf Helmy
A1 Mohammed Hanifah
A1 Hajar A. Al-Binali
YR 2005
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/26/10/1579.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Ramadan fasting has any effect on patients with heart disease.METHODS: We prospectively studied 465 outpatients with heart disease who were fasting during the month of Ramadan from October 24 to November 24, 2003. These studied subjects were from various medical centers in the Gulf region; State of Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. We performed detailed clinical assessments one month before Ramadan, during Ramadan and one month after Ramadan and analyzed predictors of outcome.RESULTS: Overall, the mean age was 55.9±11.3 years (age range 32-72). Of the 465 patients treated, 363 (78.1%) were males and 102 (21.9%) females. Among them, 119 (25.6%) patients had congestive heart failure, 288 (62%) patients with angina, 22 (4.7%) patients with atrial fibrillation and 11 (2.4%) patients with prosthetic metallic valves. Three hundred and seventy (79%) had prior myocardial infarction (MI), 195 (17.2%) had prior coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), and 177 (38%) had prior percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). At the time of follow-up, we found that 91.2% could fast and only 6.7% felt worse while fasting in Ramadan. Of the studied subjects, 82.8% were compliant with cardiac medications and 68.8% were compliant with dietary instructions. We hospitalized 19 patients during Ramadan for cardiac reasons (unstable angina, worsening heart failure, MI, uncontrolled hypertension, subtherapeutic anticoagulation or arrhythmias)CONCLUSION: The effects of fasting during Ramadan on stable patients with cardiac disease are minimal. Most patients with stable cardiac disease can fast.