ABSTRACT
World Health Organization [WHO] introduced hypertension as an epidemic in developing countries. However, hypertension is adequately controlled in only 12.5% of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Ramadan fasting and mean arterial pressure [MAP]. This clinical, observational study was carried out at Medical O.P.D of Jinnah Medical College Hospital [JMCH], Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 150 hypertensive patients [120 males and 30 females] and 150 healthy adults [75 males and 75 females] were evaluated during the month of Ramadan [from August to September 2010]. Blood pressure was measured in patients' right arm in the sitting position. The measurements were taken a week before Ramadan and during each week of this month. The average of measurements was calculated, and the results were analyzed by SPSS version 17. A reduction was observed in the MAP of hypertensive patients [from 117.3 +/- 4.2 in the first week to 108.3 +/- 4.2 in the fourth week]. In the control group, the MAP was 93.1 +/- 0.6 in the first week and 92.4 +/- 0.6 in the fourth week. This study showed that MAP reduces during Ramadan fasting. This effect of fasting may help control blood pressure in hypertensive patients