ESSENTIAL DO'S AND DON'TS FOR HEART PATIENTS FASTING IN RAMADAN

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ESSENTIAL DO'S AND DON'TS FOR HEART PATIENTS FASTING IN RAMADAN
ESSENTIAL DO'S AND DON’TS FOR
        HEART PATIENTS FASTING IN
                RAMADAN
More than one billion Muslims worldwide abstain from food, drink, and
oral medications from dawn to sunset during the holy month of
Ramadan. Patients with chronic illnesses are exempt but most elect to
fast. The fasting period typically lasts 15 to 16 hours, and two meals are
eaten during the night. People with heart problems should take extra
precautions while fasting during Ramadan, and consult their
cardiologists, particularly in determining the proper timing and dosage of
their medications, in order to avoid complications.
Patients should consult their cardiologists on how their medication
should be administered during Ramadan. Patients and doctors may have
to explore the possibility of substituting shorter acting medication with
long-lasting ones in order to compensate for the daily 15-hour fasting
time.
Fasting has no negative impact on patients with stable heart conditions
who have no recurrent symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of
breath. In fact, fasting could be beneficial for them. Lower food intake;
abstaining from smoking, which will relieve the system of tobacco’s
harmful effects; and the stress-reduced atmosphere associated with the
Holy Month of Ramadan; will reduce heart disease risk in general, and
also have a positive impact on people with heart conditions.
ESSENTIAL DO'S AND DON'TS FOR HEART PATIENTS FASTING IN RAMADAN
FAQs
Q1. Should a person with diabetes fast?
People who have their diabetes under control, either by diet or using tablets,
may fast. However, their Doctor may require them to make changes to their
medication in order to help them take tablets outside the times of fasting.
Those injecting insulin are advised to take single dose of long acting insulin
(Lente) after Iftaar as compared to short acting insulin (Rapid).

Q2. Should a person with high or low blood pressure fast?
Those with well-controlled high blood pressure may fast with lifestyle
alterations and/or medication.
Their Doctor may require a change to their medication in order to help them
take tablets outside the times of fasting.
A person with so-called ‘low blood pressure’ who is otherwise well and
healthy may fast. An adequate intake of fluid and salts in the diet is advised.

Q3 Is it safe to fast for Ramadan after recent heart surgery?
If you have undergone recent heart surgery or have had a heart attack, you
should avoid fasting or going on a restrictive diet for at least 6 weeks. To give
your body the best chance of healing, fasting may not always be possible.

Q4 Should a person who taking his blood thinners (anticoagulants), or any
medications for an irregular heartbeat, fast?
He can continue fasting , only change your blood thinner, Short acting blood
thinner Apixaban and dabigatran )to long acting ( rivoroxaban to be taken
once a day for irregular heartbeat instead of using a Pill in the pocket
approach -
Metaprolol to Metolar XR
Diltiazem to Dilzem SR which has sustained action throughout the day
Other heart-related reasons to avoid fasting include:
    • Recurrent chest pain
    • Heart failure that leaves you fatigued or short of breath
    • Narrowed or inflamed aortic valve (stenosis)
    • Being under constant medical observation

Q5. Will I need to take my medication during fasting hours?
If you’re on heart medication and want to avoid taking oral tablets between
dawn and sunset, your doctor may be able to give you versions with longer-
lasting effects for the duration of Ramadan, depending on your prescription.
Speak to your doctor in advance to find out if this is possible. Bear in mind
that if there are no other alternatives, you may not be able to avoid taking
medication during fasting hours.
If you’ve had a stent implanted, you will likely be on dual antiplatelet therapy
for atleast a year to prevent blood clotting (which means you’ll be taking 2
types of medications, clopidogrel and aspirin). You should be able to fit these
around your fast by taking clopidogrel before sehari or after iftar, and your
aspirin after iftar.
Always speak to your doctor before beginning your fast so you can explore
the best options for you.

Q6. What should I do if I start feeling dizzy or unwell during my fast?
Light-headedness can be brought on by dehydration, so you should try to
avoid this by drinking plenty of water when breaking your fast.
If you do feel dizzy or unwell, and this feeling doesn’t subside after 20
minutes, notify your doctor. Seek medical attention immediately if you feel
feverish, short of breath, or faint.
If you’ve concerns about your heart health, always speak to a specialist.
Q7. What should I eat when I keep fast (Sehri)?
The fasts of Ramadan can improve a person’s health, but if the correct diet is
not followed, it can possibly worsen it! The deciding factor is not the fast
itself, but rather what is consumed in the non-fasting hours.
Overeating can harm the body. A diet that has less than a normal amount of
food but is sufficiently balanced will keep a person healthy and active during
the month of Ramadan.

You try to eat little and often, switching 2 big meals for 4 smaller portions.
The diet should be simple and not differ too much from one’s normal
everyday diet. It should contain foods from all the major food groups, as
shown below.
This must always be accompanied by some complex carbohydrates and
proteins. A meal comprising carbohydrates and proteins and some hydration
works brilliantly to kick start your day.
These meals will help you get through the fasted state as they are rich in
complex carbohydrates which will provide fuel through the day, proteins and
healthy fats from nuts will bring satiety and energy at the same time.
• Include, eggs with multigrain bread, date milkshake with pumpkin seeds,
    chia seeds and flaxseeds.
• Oats smoothies, oats or quinoa with milk, chia pudding, oats pancakes,
    overnight oats ( you just have to soak them in a jar overnight).
• For savouries you can try quinoa upma, amaranth porridge, scrambled
    paneer or eggs with multigrain bread or chapati's to name a few.
Q8. What should I eat as break fast (Iftaar)?
• Break your fast with sips of water.
• If you are going through symptoms like mild headache or acidity have
    ginger water or fennel water.
• Other fluids like chia seeds water (sabja water), fresh coconut water,
    kokum sherbet, buttermilk, lassi, nanari juice, Assam, gulkand milk are
    some healthy fluid options.
• You can also accompany this with a bowl of fruit salad and dates.
• Eat fruits like watermelon, muskmelon, oranges, apples, kiwi for
    hydration.
• Prepare your meals with healthy proteins like chicken thighs or breast
    fillets, fish, lentils, eggs, paneer and a smaller portion of red meat,
    remember legs have most of the fat so avoid them.
• Some iftaar meal ideas are curries with rice and salads or grilled kebabs
    with rice and salad, grilled fish or chicken with vegetables, roast with
    vegetables, stir-fries and sautéed vegetables, quinoa or vegetable pulao
    with proteins.

Desserts are the most looked forward part of the day
Carrot or ghia burfi, makhana or fox nuts kheer, coconut laddoo, mung daal
burfi, mung daal halwa, flaxseed laddoo are some healthy options.
Try apple slices with date syrup, grilled pineapples, cottage cheese with a
hone. Swap refined sugar with jaggery, coconut sugar, date syrups and date
paste. Adding these sweeteners will add minerals like phosphorous to your
diet which helps in ease cough..
We should not focus on restricting calories, instead, we should focus on the
right kind of foods which can be sustained. Implementing some of the above
ideas in your Ramadan menu will help you find even a better version of you
during the fasting month.
Bread, Other Cereals
       And Potatoes

                                                                                     Fruit and
                                                                                   Vegetables

        Meat, Fish                                                           Milk and
        and Alternatives                                                  Dairy Foods

                                           Foods Containing Fat
                                          Foods Containing Sugar

                  Foods to avoid                                   Healthy/alternative foods
                                                      Whole grains, eg chickpeas (plain, or with potato in
   Deep-fried foods, eg pakoras, samosas, fried                      yogurt with different
                    dumplings                         Indian spices), samosas baked instead of fried, and
                                                                        boiled dumplings
High-sugar/high-fat foods, eg Indian sweets such as     Milk-based sweets and puddings, eg Rasmalai,
   Ghulab Jamun, Rasgulla, Balushahi, Baklawa                              Barfee
                                                        Alternate with chapattis made without oil, and
 High-fat cooked foods, eg parathas, oily curries,
                                                        baked or grilled meat and chicken. Try to make
                 greasy pastries
                                                             pastry at home and use a single layer

            Cooking methods to avoid                              Alternative cooking methods
                                                           Shallow frying – usually there is very little
                   Deep frying
                                                                        difference in taste
                                                      Grilling or baking is healthier and helps retain the
                      Frying                           taste and original flavour of the food, especially
                                                                         chicken and fish
                                                      Start with measuring the oil used in curry and try
                                                          to bring the oil content down gradually, eg
                                                       reducing five tablespoons to four. This is a good
             Curries with excessive oil
                                                          way of reducing oil without noticing much
                                                      difference in the taste. A useful tip is to use more
                                                         onions and tomatoes in the bulk of the curry
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