Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Blood Pressure and Kidney Functions in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients: A Study in Konya, Turkey

Abstract

Ramadan fasting involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset, yet its impact on blood pressure (BP) and kidney function in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients remains unclear. This retrospective study examined 200 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients from Konya, Turkey, during Ramadan 2023. Half of the patients (n = 100) observed daily fasting throughout Ramadan, while the other half (n = 100) did not. All patients received a diuretic-containing regimen consisting of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker combined with hydrochlorothiazide. Baseline clinical and laboratory data, including serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were compared with those obtained at a one-month follow-up (end of Ramadan). Both fasting and non-fasting groups exhibited significant reductions in systolic and diastolic BP from baseline to the first month, with no statistically significant difference in final BP between the two groups. Kidney function, as indicated by creatinine levels and eGFR, remained stable in both groups, suggesting that Ramadan fasting did not adversely affect renal parameters. Modest improvements in lipid profiles were also observed in both cohorts. These findings indicate that, among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients on diuretic-containing therapy, Ramadan fasting may be safe if accompanied by individualized clinical advice. However, larger and more prolonged studies are warranted to validate these results and explore potential variations in other hypertensive populations.