Acute heart failure presentations and outcomes during the fasting month of Ramadan: an observational report from seven Middle Eastern countries

Risks and Benefits of Intermittent Fasting for the Aging Cardiovascular System

Population aging and the associated increase in cardiovascular disease rates pose serious threats to global public health. Different forms of fasting have become an increasingly attractive strategy to directly address aging and potentially limit or delay the onset of cardiovascular diseases. A growing number of experimental studies and clinical trials indicate that the amount and timing of food intake as well as the daily time window during which food is consumed, are crucial determinants of cardiovascular health. Indeed, intermittent fasting counteracts the molecular hallmarks of cardiovascular aging and promotes different aspects of cardiometabolic health, including blood pressure and glycemic control, as well as body weight reduction. In this report, we summarize current evidence from randomized clinical trials of intermittent fasting on body weight and composition as well as cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Moreover, we critically discuss the preventive and therapeutic potential of intermittent fasting, but also possible detrimental effects in the context of cardiovascular aging and related disease. We delve into the physiological mechanisms through which intermittent fasting might improve cardiovascular health, and raise important factors to consider in the design of clinical trials on the efficacy of intermittent fasting to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events among aged individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. We conclude that despite growing evidence and interest among the lay and scientific communities in the cardiovascular health-improving effects of intermittent fasting, further research efforts and appropriate caution are warranted before broadly implementing intermittent fasting regimens, especially in elderly persons.

Consensus recommendations on fasting during Ramadan for patients with kidney disease: review of available evidence and a call for action (RaK Initiative)

Ramadan fasting (RF) involves abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours; it is obligatory for all healthy Muslims from the age of puberty. Although sick individuals are exempt from fasting, many will fast anyway. This article explores the impact of RF on individuals with kidney diseases through a comprehensive review of existing literature and consensus recommendations. This study was conducted by a multidisciplinary panel of experts.The recommendations aim to provide a structured approach to assess and manage fasting during Ramadan for patients with kidney diseases, empowering both healthcare providers and patients to make informed decisions while considering their unique circumstances.

Burden and Patterns of Medical Emergencies during Ramadan Fasting: A Narrative Review

Introduction Acute medical problems may occur more frequently during Ramadan fasting (RF). We aimed to provide a narrative overview of the global literature on medical emergencies during RF.

Methods This is a nonsystematic review of the international literature from one major medical online database (PubMed, National Institutes of Health, United States). The relevant literature was narrated in a concise thematic account.

Results There is a variable impact in the burden and time distribution of emergency services and hospitalization during RF that may require readjustment of resource allocation. Studies of the risk of accidents and injuries may be increased overall or at specified times, around Iftar time. A classical impact of emergencies has been the risk of worsening peptic ulcer disease. RF impacts diabetic emergencies such as severe hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis, particularly in type 1 diabetes and poorly controlled patients. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy may represent a challenge to patients and physicians that require education and dose adjustment. Acute neurological conditions of interest include the “first day of Ramadan headache,” epilepsy, and strokes. Several studies evaluated the risk of the acute coronary syndrome and heart failure with inconsistent findings. RF may impact the renal and urological systems through stone disease, renal colic, and acute kidney. The impact on hematological conditions was mostly focused on the safety of anticoagulant therapy during Ramadan.

Conclusion The review addresses the emergency medical encounters of the fasting patient during Ramadan to allow a holistic and ethnically sensitive approach to medical care under circumstances where decisions have to be taken with no delay.

Alsubai A, Al-Mousawi R, Aldhaheri KSO, Malik J, Almas T. Clinical outcomes of fasting in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A prospective analysis

Fasting is a part of many world religions and in Islam fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim during the month of Ramadan. Islam has exempted sick people from fasting; however, many people still partake in this activity. We investigated how Islamic fasting affects patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We enrolled 938 patients (fasting n = 456; non-fasting = 482) in this prospective observational study. The fasting group showed a decrease in NYHA functional class III (23.36% vs. 17.77%; p-value < 0.05) and IV (3.76% vs. 2.19%; p-value < 0.05), and an increase in class I(35.57% vs. 43.64%; p-value < 0.05). symptoms. This is an important area for physicians to advise patients with HFpEF to fast in the month of Ramadan as it can have a favorable effect on their symptoms and quality of life.

Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical guidelines 2021

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all healthy Muslims from the age of puberty. Though individuals with some illness and serious medical conditions, including some people with diabetes, can be exempted from fasting, many will fast anyway. It is of paramount importance that people with diabetes that fast are given the appropriate guidance and receive proper care. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Diabetes and Ramadan (DaR) International Alliance have come together to provide a substantial update to the previous guidelines. This update includes key information on fasting during Ramadan with type 1 diabetes, the management of diabetes in people of elderly ages and pregnant women, the effects of Ramadan on one's mental wellbeing, changes to the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications, and areas of future research. The IDF-DAR Diabetes and Ramadan Practical Guidelines 2021 seek to improve upon the awareness, knowledge and management of diabetes during Ramadan, and to provide real-world recommendations to health professionals and the people with diabetes who choose to fast.

Caloric Restriction and Cardiovascular Health: the Good, the Bad, and the Renin-Angiotensin System

Much excitement exists over the cardioprotective and life-extending effects of caloric restriction (CR). This review integrates population studies with experimental animal research to address the positive and negative impact of mild and severe CR on cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, with a particular focus on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). We also highlight the gaps in knowledge and areas ripe for future physiological research.

An observational study of the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among jordanian patients: Identifying the influence of Ramadan Fasting

Introduction

Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) tend to face several health issues during the Holy month of Ramadan, due to the change in dietary patterns. This study aims to investigate the influence of fasting during Ramadan on the occurrence of ACS.

Methods

The study followed a retrospective observational design, and was conducted in King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) of Jordan, during the period of June 06, 2016 to Aug 08, 2016 and May 27, 2017 to July 27, 2017. Data was collected from a sample of 226 male and female patients, aged between 20 and 80 years with major diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, this is a case series of ACS patients.

Results

Findings of the study indicated that, Ramadan fasting is insignificantly related to the occurrence of ACS, since no significant difference was found in the incidence of hypertension (65%), diabetes (51.7%), unstable angina (56.6%) and coronary artery disease (CAD) (57.6%) findings during and after Ramadan respectively. Similar, findings were attained for patients' final diagnosis which had normal Kidney Function Test (KFT) (72.5%), platelets (91.5%), and Ejection Fraction (EF) (64.6%). Also, no significant difference was found between patients' smoking status (61.0%), hospital stay (89.8%) and discharge rate (96.9%).

Conclusion

The study concluded that there is an insignificant association of Ramadan fasting on the cardiac patients and occurrence of acute coronary syndrome.

Assessment of risk of fasting during Ramadan under optimal diabetes care, in high-risk patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease through the use of FreeStyle Libre flash continuous glucose monitor (FSL-CGMS)

AIM

Most of Muslims patients with diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) elect to fast in Ramadan, but the actual risk in this subset of patients with diabetes is largely unknown. We aimed to understand the safety of fasting in CHD patients with diabetes insisting on fasting Ramadan under optimal care. We also monitored the change in biophysical and biochemical parameters of these patients before and after Ramadan. We conducted this prospective study in a tertiary care hospital in Dubai during Ramadan 2016, (June 6th till July 5th).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

21 Patients with T2DM with stable known CHD during the three months prior to study and insisted on fasting despite advice against it were recruited for the study. All patients received continuous glucose monitoring with free style libre monitoring device (FSL-CGM) during and outside Ramadan period. We recorded DM or CVD-related emergency visit or hospitalisation, change in BMI, systolic and diastolic BP, lipids profile, e-GFR, HBA1c, and frequency of hypoglycemia during Ramadan fasting and not -fasting period.

RESULTS

This is first study using CGM in CHD patients with diabetes who observe fast in Ramadan. Patients had a significantly higher incidence (3.2 ± 2.8 vs 1.1 ± 1.6 episodes, p = 0.033) and prolonged duration of hypoglycemia (117.8 ± 87.2, 49.1 ± 59.1 min p 0.022) during fasting compared to non-fasting respectively. No significant alteration was seen in BMI, SBP and DBP, lipid profile and renal function. There is a significant improvement in HBA1c during Ramadan.

CONCLUSION

We could not associate any adverse cardiovascular effects with fasting Ramadan in patients with stable CHD under optimal diabetes care. FSL-CGMS data showed higher frequency of hypoglycemia during Ramadan fasting. Studies with larger sample size are needed for further validation of these findings.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on the symptoms of chronic heart failure

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on the symptoms of chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Globally, more than one billion Muslims fast during Ramadan. Data regarding the effect of fasting in heart failure patients with a reduced ejection fraction are limited.

Methods:

We prospectively studied 249 outpatients with HFrEF who undertook Ramadan fasting at tertiary care cardiac center in Saudi Arabia in 2017. We obtained information regarding the clinical assessment, diagnosis, emergency department visits, and hospitalization during and in the month preceding Ramadan.

Results:

We enrolled 249 patients, 227 (91%) undertook the fast for the entire month. During Ramadan, 209 (92%) patients remained hemodynamically stable, whereas 18 (8%) developed instability. The mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was significantly lower in the stable than in the unstable group (1.46±0.7 vs. 3.22±0.55, p<0.0001), although no intergroup differences were observed before Ramadan. Patients from the unstable vs. the stable group showed significantly less adherence to medications (67% vs. 94%, p<0.0001) and to diet (39% vs. 79%, p<0.0001), and a lower likelihood of demonstrating ischemic cardiomyopathy as an underlying etiology of HFrEF (33% vs. 57%, p=0.046). Dependent t-test analysis including all patients showed that the NYHA classification before Ramadan was significantly higher than during Ramadan (2.19±0.9 vs. 1.6±0.8, t-value 8.5, p<0.0001).

Conclusion:

In most patients with chronic HFrEF, Ramadan fasting is considered safe. Non-adherence to medication and diet are significantly associated with decompensated heart failure during Ramadan.