Fasting during Ramadan improves functioning of heart

Hyderabad: Heart performance is improved due to fasting for long hours during Ramadan. Fasting for the entire month also improves blood circulation thus making people healthier.

As reported by the Times of India, a research study conducted by doctors of two hospitals of the city revealed that due to increase in vagal tone (functioning of vagus nerve), fasting induces a change in the electrical activity of the heart. The positive change in the electrical activity of the heart decreases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Doctors of Bhaskar Medical College and Malla Reddy Medical College for Women recently conducted a study on fasting and improvement in the electrical activity of the heart. They studied a sample of 50 people who were on fast. At the end of 28 days of fast they found positive outcome of cardiac functioning.

Researchers concluded that besides having beneficial effects on different systems, fasting during Ramadan also produces a change in the electrical activity of the heart as a result of the increase in vagal tone. This decreases the risk towards coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death.

Dr MN Khaja, a senior geneticist asserted that previous research studies revealed that fasting improves to a significant extent the para-sympathetic modulation. He further said ‘the strictly disciplined life coupled with increased physical activity in the form of regular and special prayers has been found to positively impact those on fast.”