Do you suffer from heart disease and want to fast during Ramadan? Here are some important tips for safe fasting

Weather of Arabia - Do you suffer from heart disease and want to fast during the month of Ramadan? Here is a set of important tips for heart patients to maintain your heart health during fasting.

Heart disease is one of the medical conditions that should be especially alert during the month of Ramadan, as the symptoms associated with this disease may increase. These symptoms can include excessive fatigue, rapid heartbeat, swelling of the legs, and dizziness. This is due to the interruption of eating and drinking necessary for heart health during fasting hours.

Consult a doctor before fasting

You should have a medical examination at least one month before the start of Ramadan, especially if you have other medical conditions in addition to heart disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

It is recommended to consult a doctor if you are unable to fast. If your doctor allows you to fast, the list of medications you are taking must be modified. The doctor may change the medications that you take 3 times a day to ones that are taken once a day and have the same effect.

Moderate use of salt and sugar

Excessive salt consumption is one of the most serious threats to your health, as it may lead to high blood pressure and increased feelings of thirst, which increases water retention in your body and negatively affects heart health.

You should also avoid eating foods rich in sugar - such as kunafa, qatayef, and ghariba - before consulting a doctor about the appropriate amount for you, as it may affect the health of the arteries by increasing the accumulation of harmful cholesterol in them, which increases the possibility of them being completely or partially blocked and causing clots.

Eat healthy foods

Consuming foods that are beneficial to your health is an important part of the list of tips for fasting for heart patients, as it is always recommended to eat the following foods:

• Fish that contains healthy fats called omega-3, which are important for heart and arterial health.
• Vegetable oils, such as olive oil, which are believed to protect against high levels of harmful cholesterol, which causes clots.
• Eat vegetables and fruits daily, especially fresh or cooked, as they contain vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber that promotes heart health.

On the other hand, you should avoid foods that are harmful to your health, such as:

• Unhealthy saturated fats.
• Full-fat dairy products.
• Chicken skin.
• Butter and ghee.
• Coffee creamer.
• Fried foods.
• Biscuits and cakes.
• Crackers.

Avoiding these foods contributes to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, as they contribute to increasing the level of harmful cholesterol and lowering the level of good cholesterol in the body.

Doing non-strenuous exercise

Non-strenuous physical activity is essential for heart patients, as it stimulates blood circulation and contributes to maintaining a healthy weight.

You can exercise at least two hours after breakfast, or before suhoor. It is preferable to do aerobic activities such as walking or cycling.

Drink plenty of fluids

Low fluid levels in the body can lead to dehydration, headaches, and low blood pressure, which may increase the severity of heart disease symptoms.

To maintain your heart health during the month of Ramadan, it is recommended to drink at least 6-8 cups of water daily.

Avoid drinking juices and drinks rich in potassium or sugar, such as Qamar al-Din, milkshakes, and sweetened fruit juice, in addition to drinks rich in caffeine such as coffee.

Practice a healthy lifestyle

You can also control heart disease during the month of Ramadan by following these tips that are really beneficial for your health, which include the following:

• Avoid cooking food in unhealthy ways, as frying using a lot of oil, ghee, or butter may increase the severity of the symptoms of heart disease. For your healthy meal, grill, boil, or cook by dry frying or steaming.
• Eat plenty of foods rich in fiber, such as lentil soup, pasta, and brown rice, as fiber contributes to improving heart and arterial health.
• Avoid smoking, which is one of the main risk factors for heart attacks, and stay away from exposure to secondhand smoke as well to protect your heart health.

Read also: Your health in Ramadan.. Simple tips to help you maintain your health in the holy month of Ramadan

Source: Tayeb Web