The month of fasting for Muslims, ‘Ramadan’ has already arrived. This year the Ramadan month has arrived in the midst of the summer season when the days are long and mercury is soaring over 45 degrees at many places in the country. More than five hundred deaths have been already reported due to soaring heat wave across the country.
Fasting which results in severe dehydration increases the chances of sun stroke. So it is necessary for the people who are fasting in this month to know what they should do and what not to, prevent heart attacks.
Dr. Upendra Kaul, who is a leading cardiologist of India and the Executive Director and Dean Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi has come out with a detailed advice for heart patients who are observing Ramadan fasts. Here we go with what he said
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1) Hypertension patients will have to first ensure their blood pressure is under control if they want to fast and even if it is slightly higher, then they should refrain from fasting.
2) Hypertension patients should take a combination of tablets in the morning at the time of Sehri (Morning meal) and at the time of breaking fast.
3) According to Dr. Upendra Kaul, Diuretic patients should not take a heavy dose of medicines in the morning, should instead rely on water pills in the morning.
4) It is better for the patients suffering from chronic heart failure, shortness of breath and other heart diseases to refrain from fasting, otherwise, their condition could aggravate.
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5) On the other hand, the patients whose blood pressure is under control and with only a few symptoms can observe fast but with some precautionary measures. It is recommended for them to avoid overeating in both the evening as well as the morning time.
6) Those patients who have previously suffered chest pain, myocardial infections and stroke can observe fast if they are feeling normal now. But they need to limit their psychological workout.
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7) Patients who have suffered a heart attack very recently should refrain from fasting as a precautionary measure.
8) Similarly, people who have gone through Angioplasty or Bypass surgery about a year ago can also fast provided they are not feeling any health issue. But they should not stop taking medicine during fasting days.
9) It is strictly advised for heart patients to limit their physical activity in Ramadan to prevent dehydration. Dr. Kaul says that dehydration results in blocking stents or
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10) People taking anticoagulant medicines can fast if they have a stable international normalized ratio (INR) of 2-3 which determines the clogging tendency of their blood. But before starting fasting, they should get their prothrombin rate checked by a physician.
11) Hard physical and mental work leads to blood clotting thereby preventing contraction of blood.
