EFFECTS OF FASTING ALONG WITH DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF A PUBLIC SECTOR MEDICAL COLLEGE IN PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Objective: A significant proportion of fasting patients experienced a notable reduction in blood pressure, allowing them to decrease their use of antihypertensive medication while maintaining controlled blood pressure. Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal Pakistan, from Mar to Apr 2023. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of Ramadan after taking approval from institutional review board. Students of 1st year MBBS participated in the study.Results: Association of mean arterial blood pressures with different demographic factors and Fasting Status in study participants was calculated by independent sample test. Two genders male and female, participated in this study. In males themean blood pressure just after keeping and before breaking the fast was 92.01 and 87.31 respectively with the p-value of 0.153. In females the mean blood pressure just before breaking the fast was 88.06 and 82.05 respectively with the p-value of 0.083. Conclusion: The study highlights the effect of fasting on the blood pressure of males, females, Passive smokers, soft drink consumers and non-consumers. The study showed the decrease in blood pressure before breaking the fast in each group