The Effect of Fasting During Ramadan on Blood Pressure in Patients with Controlled and Mild Hypertension

In the month of Ramadan, many Muslims fast during the day and significant changes in sleeping and eating patterns occur that may affect blood pressure. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of fasting on blood pressure. The study was performed in June 2014 in Yazd, a city in the center of Iran. Sixteen patients with controlled or mild hypertension on medical therapy underwent 24 hour blood pressure monitoring before the month of Ramadan and again while fasting during Ramadan. The differences in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and during Ramadan were recorded. It was observed that the mean systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, before and during Ramadan were not significantly different (131 vs. 128 mmHg, P=0.141, 70 vs. 68 mmHg P=0.144 and 99 vs. 96.4 mmHg, P=0.085 respectively). There were no significant differences in changes of blood pressure, throughout the day before and during fasting period of Ramadan. It was concluded that the patients with controlled or mild hypertension on antihypertensive therapy can observe their fasting during Ramadan without significant changes in blood pressure.