Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile

Introduction: Ramadan is a holy Islamic month during which Muslims absttain from eating. Drinking and sexual intercourse for 13-17 hours a day. The aim of this studi was to assess the effects of Islamic fasting during Ramadan on lipid profile and blood pressure. Methods: This study was carried out in two phases.i.e.a week befare and a week after Ramadan Onerall, 89 healthy subjects, aged 20-50 years, were enralled in this study. Blood samples were drawn for the evaluation of lipid profile in the morning, and subjects blood pressure was measured in the afrernoon, using a digital sphygmomanometer. Statistical analysis was performed, using SPSS versiom 16.0. Results: A week after Ramadan, body weight and body maas index decreased in both genders, compared to a week before Ramadan (P<0.001). Diastolic blood pressure in male subjects and systolic blood pressure in both genders remained uncanged (P=0.634 and P=0.412, respectively), whereas in females, diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased (P=0.002). During Ramadan, no significant changes were observed in subjects lipid profile, trigyceride level, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or LDL/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio; however, a substantial decline was reported in total cholesterol and HDL-C levels. Conclusion: The decline in total cholesterol may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, induced by decreased HDL-C concentration. However, further research is required to reach a more difinitive conclusion.

کلیدواژه ها:

Blood pressure ، BMI ، Body weight ، Fasting ، Lipid profile