title: Effects of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors: a prospective observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research has shown that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, however there are controversies. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors has been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective observational study that was carried out in a group of patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (including history of documented previous history of either coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease in past 10 y). Eighty two volunteers including 38 male and 44 female, aged 29-70 y, mean 54.0 ± 10 y, with a previous history of either coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease were recruited. Subjects attended the metabolic unit after at least 10 h fasting, before and after Ramadan who were been fasting for at least 10 days. A fasting blood sample was obtained, blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Lipids profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin, homocysteine (hcy), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and complete blood count (CBC) were analyzed on all blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk (based on Framingham risk score) was found (13.0 ± 8 before Ramadan and 10.8 ±7 after Ramadan, P <0.001, t test).There was a significant higher HDL-c, WBC, RBC and platelet count (PLT), and lower plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference after Ramadan (P <0.05, t test). The changes in FBS, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), hcy, hs-CRP and diastolic blood pressure before and after Ramadan were not significant (P >0.05, t test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Biochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, University of Medical Sciences, Mashad 91779-48564, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nematy
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alinezhad-Namaghi
authors.forename: Masoud Mahdavi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rashed
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mozhdehifard
authors.forename: Seyedeh Sania
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sajjadi
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhlaghi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabery
authors.forename: Seyed Amir R
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mohajeri
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shalaey
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moohebati
authors.forename: Abdolreza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norouzy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005215:Fasting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors