High Blood Pressure and Fasting

The Holy month of Ramadan can be a distressing time for some followers of the Islamic faith. In particular those who suffer from high blood pressure and are taking medication to control it. The long summer days mean a fast can last for more than 16 hours. This needs careful monitoring.

If a high blood pressure patient decides to fast then they will not be taking any medication during the fast period. Instead, medication for controlling high blood pressure will be taken at the start of the fast with excessive food, and then soon after breaking of the fast when there has been little food eaten.

Altering the medication timings to fit in with the fasting pattern may prove a very serious situation for a long-term high blood pressure sufferer. If you are ill then you should avoid extreme fasting for prolonged periods. In fact you are excused from fasting if you are ill and can give money to a charity instead.

Healthcare professionals will tell you that blood pressure medicines taken at wrong times may prove ineffective as they fail to be absorbed. This could lead to higher blood pressure. Also after a long day of fasting, taking medication may suddenly lower the blood pressure to an extreme as it is absorbed quicker into the blood stream.

So, if you are a long-term high blood pressure patient under medication then avoid fasting. You are putting your life in danger. You need to be extra careful and monitor your blood pressure during fasting. Read our experts advice in best blood pressure monitor reviews.