3 rules for heart patients during Ramadan

Cardiovascular patients should follow at least three rules during the holy month of Ramadan to stay safe from heart failure or cardiac arrest or other severe ailments, an expert said.

"A patient with cardiovascular disease should maintain a lot of things to lead a normal life. He or she must have to take medicine properly, walk at least 30 to 40 minutes daily and take cholesterol free food," cardiologist Dr Jahanara Arzu told BSS.

Dr Arzu, also an associate professor of cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), said fasting during Ramadan does not increase the possibility of severe cardiac diseases.

"The incident of acute coronary artery syndrome, acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke is similar during the month of Ramadan as compared to the other non-fasting months," she added.

Dr Arzu also said fasting during Ramadan can keep human organs, including heart, healthy.

"If a cardiovascular patient follows the rules properly, he or she can stay safe otherwise it will harm the physical condition," she added.

The cardiologist stressed on keeping self-control in taking unhealthy but delicious food and taking necessary medicine after Sehri and Iftar.

She said the patients should take balanced-diet including vegetables, fruits, cereals, cholesterol free meat, dairy products during Sehri and Iftar.

Dr Arzu suggested the patients to avoid attending Iftar party or other invitations outside home as such kinds of party offer unhygienic rich food which cause high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and many other disorders.

"Patients should take nutritious food items during Sehri as the meal will provide energy to keep fasting long hours until Iftar. You have to select those food items which will not harm your health and will contain nutrition and vitamin," she added.

She suggested patients to get physical exercise for 30-40 minutes daily after Iftar or Tarabi prayers.

"Every patient must go for walking to keep themselves healthy so they can properly perform their fasting during the holy month," she said.

The cardiac expert also suggested cardiovascular patients to stop unnecessary use of oral saline as it causes high blood pressure and heart diseases.

"Everyone should take oral saline only for vomiting or diarrhoea. Unnecessary use of oral saline increases the risk of many diseases," she added.

Source: bss