Prepared by: Dr. Zahra Khalifa – Family Medicine Consultant – Member of the Friends of Health Association
Ramadan fasting is considered safe for most patients with high blood pressure, especially if the pressure has stable and is controlled by medications and a healthy lifestyle. However, fasting may pose a threat to some patients, especially if they have a sharp rise in pressure or suffer from complications such as heart or kidney disease. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor before fasting to control the treatment and ensure that there are no health risks.
When is fasting unsafe?
– If the patient suffers from a severe height and is not controlled in pressure.
In the event of complications such as heart failure or kidney disease.
If the patient is taking diuretics in high doses, which may increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure during fasting.
Tips for a safe fast for a patient with high blood pressure:
1- Commitment to medications regularly: The doctor can adjust the doses of the drug to suit breakfast and suhoor times, to ensure pressure control during fasting.
2- Drink enough water between breakfast and suhoor to avoid dehydration, which may lead to high pressure.
3- Reducing salt consumption: You should avoid salty foods such as pickles and fast meals, as they may raise the pressure.
4- Eat a balanced suhoor meal: It is preferable to contain complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains), protein, and vegetables to provide sustainable energy.
5- Avoid fatty and fried foods: because it may lead to high cholesterol and increase blood pressure.
6- Reducing caffeine: caffeine-containing drinks (coffee and strong tea) may lead to high pressure, so it must be reduced.
7- Exercise with caution: light walking can be practiced after breakfast, but the extreme physical exertion must be avoided during fasting.
If the patient feels dizziness, severe headaches, or irregular heartbeat, his pressure may be unstable, and he must measure it and breakfast if necessary. In the end, consulting a doctor remains essential to ensure safe fasting without complications.
