Impact of religious Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract Background: Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a religious obligation that is practiced by millions of people around the world yet there is no clear scientific consensus on its effects on cardiovascular disease. This study was performed to inform physicians as well as patients of evidence based recommendations on this subject. Aim: The study was undertaken to assess (1) Any alteration in the incidence of acute cardiac illness during Ramadan fasting? (2) Whether fasting during the month of Ramadan alter the clinical status of patients with stable cardiac disease? And (3) The impact of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors in normal subjects, in patients with stable cardiac disease, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and systemic hypertension. Study design: Systematic review of the literature. Method: A Medline search of the English literature published between January 1980 and September 2012. Results: The incidence of acute cardiac illness during Ramadan fasting was sim...