ISSN 2149-2263 | E-ISSN 2149-2271
The Anatolian Journal of Cardiology
The effects of Ramadan fasting on heart rate variability in healthy individuals: a prospective study [Anatol J Cardiol]
Anatol J Cardiol. 2014; 14(5): 413-416 | DOI: 10.5152/akd.2014.5108

The effects of Ramadan fasting on heart rate variability in healthy individuals: a prospective study

Mehmet Cansel1, Hakan Taşolar2, Jülide Yağmur1, Necip Ermiş1, Nusret Açıkgöz1, Ferhat Eyüpkoca1, Hasan Pekdemir1, Ramazan Özdemir1
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University; Malatya-Turkey
2Department of Cardiology, Adıyaman University, Training and Research Hospital; Adıyaman-Turkey

Objective: Ramadan fasting is one of the five fundamental rituals of Islam. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an independent predictor of increased mortality of patients with myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. Although many patients in this region fast once a year, the effects of fasting on the HRV, which has a prognostic significance for patients with myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, are not known. Therefore, the study on the effects of one month fast of HRV in healthy volunteers seems to be reasonable to address. Methods: Our study is a prospective cohort study that includes a total of 40 healthy volunteers with sinus rhythm between 19 and 40 years of age (16 female and 24 male). HRV was determined twice by ambulatory 24-hour Holter recordings at fasting in the middle of Ramadan and first week after Ramadan month. Mean values of continuous variables were compared by using the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon test were used for comparison of variables between groups. Results: When two groups compared, statistically significant differences were found in terms of RR (p=0.049), SDNNI (p=0.010), rMSSD (p=0.009), pNN50 (p=0.015), T power (p=0.009), LF (p=0.008), Lfnu (p=0.002), HF (p=0,022) and Hfnu (p=0.013) values. Conclusion: In our study, HRV parameters were found to be increased in Ramadan month, so we think that Ramadan fasting enhances the activity of the parasympathetic system.

Keywords: Ramadan fasting, heart rate variability, autonomic nervous system

Mehmet Cansel, Hakan Taşolar, Jülide Yağmur, Necip Ermiş, Nusret Açıkgöz, Ferhat Eyüpkoca, Hasan Pekdemir, Ramazan Özdemir. The effects of Ramadan fasting on heart rate variability in healthy individuals: a prospective study. Anatol J Cardiol. 2014; 14(5): 413-416
Manuscript Language: English


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