Tips for high blood pressure patients during Ramadan

Attributed to: Dr. Georgie Thomas Specialist – Cardiology, Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi

1. Is it essential for high blood pressure patients to seek medical advice before deciding to fast during Ramadan?

Yes, because it is very important that patients do not stop their medicine under any circumstances. Therefore they have to consult their doctors on the best way to manage fasting and still take medication.

2. What are the precautions to be taken by such patients during the fasting period?

Two important points for the patients to keep in mind:

1. Never stop medication
2. Always hydrate (drink water) at Sohoor and Iftar.

3. Other than diet, what are the lifestyle changes that are advised during the month-long fasting period?

When fasting, one should:

- Avoid doing any high intensity work

- Avoid difficult exercise especially in the heat/ during summer/ Day time.

- Conserve energy during the day

4. What is the impact of fasting on the blood pressure of such patients?

1. Hypoglycemia – sugar level goes down and might have features of high blood pleasure
2. Dizziness and collapse
3. Low pressure because the fluid in the body is low (its generally not dangerously low, but lower than the usual)

5. Are there any special precautions to be taken with regard to food / diet at the time of breaking fast in the evening?

During Ramadan, people who fast already break their fast with good and healthy eating regime.

At iftar, people start with dates, then soup, followed by vegetables (salad) and then the main course. This is the ideal way of breaking their fast, hence no special precautions should be mentioned.

6. Medication is an important part of hyper tension management. How is this to be fitting into the fasting schedule during the Holy Month?

Patients should consult their doctors and take schedule their medications to be twice a day, once during Sohoor and once at Iftar.

7. A woman who is pregnant and has high blood pressure has a compounded problem. What medical advice should she heed to during the fasting period?

Generally, pregnant women are extremely high risk patients and should not be part of fasting.

8. How important is physical activity for high BP patients, particularly during the fasting month?

It is recommended to do some particular activity every day, such as going for a walk after the sun goes down.

9. Good intake of fluids is recommended, especially when Ramadan falls during the intense summer months.  What are the kinds of fluids prescribed for those with hyper tension?

Water is enough and it is actually not recommended to have those juices. All the body needs is water, and it is better to make up the fluid loss with water.

10. What are the other general do’s and don’ts for patients with high blood pressure during Ramadan?

Never skip the medication under any circumstances.