Some people may experience high blood pressure due to genetic factors in their family. People with hypertension need to maintain a healthy lifestyle every day, which includes eating healthy, low-salt foods, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, avoiding alcohol, and getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night.

Tips for Fasting If You Have High Blood Pressure

Fasting can be beneficial for people with high blood pressure. Studies have found that fasting during Ramadan is linked to lower blood pressure. So, how can people with high blood pressure fast safely?

Consult a Doctor

The first crucial step before fasting with hypertension is consulting a doctor. This doesn't always have to be in person, you can consult a specialist through a telemedicine app like AI Care, which you can download on your phone.

During the consultation, be sure to provide your full medical history, including your blood pressure and any medications you're currently taking.

Continue to Take Prescribed Medications

Most hypertension medications are taken twice daily. You can take one dose during sahur (pre-dawn meal) and another during iftar (evening meal). Speak with your doctor if you need to adjust the timing of your medications, as some patients may need to take them once or three times a day.

Do not skip your hypertension medications, as they are vital for managing high blood pressure.

Eat Healthy Foods

Research has shown that eating certain foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish, can help lower blood pressure. Including these foods in your iftar meal can reduce high blood pressure and lower the risk of related health problems.

Reduce Salt Intake

Reducing salt intake is crucial for preventing high blood pressure. You can reduce salt intake by avoiding processed foods, snacks like chips, added table salt, and by cooking your meals using natural seasonings, which helps maintain lower blood pressure.

Exercise

Regular exercise, even while fasting, is beneficial for managing high blood pressure. It supports heart health and improves blood circulation, which helps naturally lower blood pressure.

Before starting any exercise, consult your doctor to determine the appropriate type and intensity, especially while fasting.

Monitor Hypertension Symptoms During Fasting

It's important for people with high blood pressure to regularly monitor their blood pressure while fasting. If you experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, weakness, changes in vision, difficulty speaking, severe headaches, or if your blood pressure reaches 180/120 or higher, seek immediate medical help.

Extremely high blood pressure can lead to serious complications like organ damage, stroke, aneurysm, and heart failure.

Consult a specialist through the AI Care app to discuss your blood pressure concerns during fasting and ensure a safe and smooth experience.

Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!