Warning ‘fasting’ for resistant hypertensive patients
Days before Ramadan, Kosuyolu Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Hakan Çakır mentioned the benefits of fasting for the health of the body, but warned citizens with health problems. Emphasizing that fasting improves cholesterol levels, Çakır suggested that citizens with health problems should fast with a doctor’s approval.
“Fasting has been observed to improve cholesterol levels.I”
Mentioning the health benefits of fasting, Assoc. Dr. Hakan Çakır said: “Studies on the effects of fasting on the cardiovascular system are very limited. The information we have obtained on this subject is the result of limited data and personal experience. According to the results of the study; Fasting has been observed to improve cholesterol levels. Restricting calorie intake during fasting and fasting improves insulin resistance. Increased insulin resistance helps the patient lose weight. It also reduces inflammation in patients. On the other hand, fasting also has a psychological aspect. This reduces the frequency of depression, especially in people with cardiovascular disease.
“We do not recommend fasting for our patients with resistant hypertension”
Continuing his speech, Assoc. Dr. Hakan Çakır said, “It is inconvenient to fast, especially in people with symptomatic cardiovascular disease. If a patient with known heart failure is still suffering from symptomatic shortness of breath, we do not recommend fasting if they have severe edema. Again, we do not recommend fasting to our patients with advanced heart failure, even if they are clinically stable. Patients who have had their carotid artery stented are at risk for the first 6 months after stenting. We do not recommend that these patients fast for the first 6 months after surgery. It’s one of the groups that we advise against fasting in our patients with resistant hypertension, which is one of the important issues.
“We recommend staying away from processed carbohydrates and bakery products in iftar”
Çakır said that fibrous and protein-rich foods should be consumed during iftar: “When we fast, especially in summer, there is a lot of fluid loss. For this reason, they should drink enough between iftar and sahur. The biggest mistake our fasting patients make is that they eat too heavy and greasy food during iftar because of the feeling of hunger. For this situation, the Turkish Society of Cardiology recommends; They suggest they split their meals in 3 between iftar and sahur. We recommend that they stay away from processed carbohydrates and bakery products in iftar. They should eat more fiber and protein foods. Many heart patients have to stop taking their medication when they start fasting. Our patients who are fasting should discuss this situation with their doctor and decide. If the patient is on a single dose of medication, he can take this medication if he can shift it to sahur and iftar. It should always be taken at the same time,” he said.