Effect of Islamic fasting on mean arterial pressure

Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) introduced hypertension as an epidemic in developing countries. However, hypertension is adequately controlled in only 12.5% of patients.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Ramadan fasting and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methods: This clinical, observational study was carried out at Medical O.P.D of Jinnah Medical College Hospital (JMCH), Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan.  A total of 150 hypertensive patients (120 males and 30 females) and 150 healthy adults (75 males and 75 females) were evaluated during the month of Ramadan (from August to September 2010). Blood pressure was measured in patients’ right arm in the sitting position. The measurements were taken a week before Ramadan and during each week of this month. The average of measurements was calculated, and the results were analyzed by SPSS version 17. Results: A reduction was observed in the MAP of hypertensive patients (from 117.3±4.2 in the first week to 108.3±4.2 in the fourth week). In the control group, the MAP was 93.1±0.6 in the first week and 92.4±0.6 in the fourth week. Conclusion: This study showed that MAP reduces during Ramadan fasting. This effect of fasting may help control blood pressure in hypertensive patients.