BackgroundPrevious research has shown that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, however there are controversies. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors has been investigated.MethodThis is a prospective observational study that was carried out in a group of patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (including history of documented previous history of either coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease in past 10 y). Eighty two volunteers including 38 male and 44 female, aged 29–70 y, mean 54.0 ± 10 y, with a previous history of either coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease were recruited. Subjects attended the metabolic unit after at least 10 h fasting, before and after Ramadan who were been fasting for at least 10 days. A fasting blood sample was obtained, blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Lipids profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin, homocysteine (hcy), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and complete blood count (CBC) were analyzed on all blood samples.ResultsA significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk (based on Framingham risk score) was found (13.0 ± 8 before Ramadan and 10.8 ±7 after Ramadan, P <0.001, t test).There was a significant higher HDL-c, WBC, RBC and platelet count (PLT), and lower plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference after Ramadan (P <0.05, t test). The changes in FBS, insulin,Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), hcy, hs-CRP and diastolic blood pressure before and after Ramadan were not significant (P >0.05, t test).ConclusionsThis study shows a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Dyslipidemia may be defined as increased levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), or a decreased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. Dyslipidemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate the association of dyslipidemia and CVD events among a population sample from Mashhad, in northeastern Iran. Material and methods: This prospective cohort study comprised a population of 8698 men and women aged 35-65 years who were recruited from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study. Socioeconomic and demographic status, anthropometric parameters, laboratory evaluations, lifestyle factors, and medical history were gathered through a comprehensive questionnaire and laboratory and clinical assessment for all participants. Cox regression model and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the association of dyslipidemia and its components with CVD incidence. Results: After 6 years of follow-up, 233 cases of CVD (including 119 cases of unstable angina [US], 74 cases of stable angina [SA], and 40 cases of myocardial infarction [MI]) were identified in the study population. Unadjusted baseline serum LDL-C, TC, and TG levels were positively associated with the risk of total CVD events among the entire population (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.19-2; P-value< 0.01; HR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.18-1.98; P < 0.01; HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.27-2.03; P < 0.01, respectively). However, after adjusting for confounding factors (age, body mass index [BMI], family history of CVD, smoking status [non-smoker, ex-smoker and current smoker], lipid lowering drug treatment, antihypertensive drug treatment, hypertension, healthy eating index [HEI], total energy intake, and presence of diabetes mellitus), a significant direct association only remained between TC and MI risk in men (HR: 2.71; 95%CI: 1.12-6.57; P-value< 0.05). Conclusion:In the present study, TC baseline level was significantly associated with the risk of MI among men.

The prevalence of CVD risk factors within our population is high compared to Western countries, indicating the necessity for interventional risk modifications.

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Depression and anxiety disorders are associated with elevated levels of hs-CRP, particularly among men. Also, there is a significant positive association between depression/anxiety disorders and inflammation linked conditions such as smoking and obesity; however, in the case of obesity this association is only present in women.