Effects of Long-Term Fasting on Electrocardiographic Parameters

Abstract

Introduction: In humans, long-term fasting reduces systemic inflammation and oxidative stress markers associated with atherosclerosis, and long-term fasting has been shown to have positive effects on cardiac functions. Frontal QRST angle (fQRSTa) is predictor of ventricular repolarization and is associated with arrhythmia incidence and adverse clinical outcomes. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of longterm fasting periods on cardiac conduction system, ventricular functions and especially fQRSTa.

Patients and Methods: Fifty-seven volunteers who entered the long fasting period by fasting during the month of Ramadan were included in our study. Basal electrocardiography (ECG) records of patients before Ramadan were taken and control ECG records were examined after 1-month intermittent fasting periods. Basal and post-fasting ECG parameters and especially fQRSTa were compared.

Results: In the long pre-fasting period, the QRS axis [38 (34.5-58), 56 (54-58); p< 0.022] and P wave amplitude [0.040 (0.025-0.044), 0.046 (0.041-0.049); p= 0.001] were statistically lower than post-fasting period. T axis in the pre-fasting period [73 (56.5-83.5), 54 (47-57); p< 0.001] and frontal QRS angle (33.4 ± 22.1, 12.4 ± 15.4; p< 0.001) were statistically higher than the post-fasting period.

Conclusion: In this study, which examined the effect of long fasting on the heart conduction system and ventricular functions, an increase in P wave amplitude was observed in the post-fasting period. In addition, after fasting, increased in the QRS axis and decrease in the T axis result in a decrease in fQRST axis. This can be evaluated as a positive effect on ventricular functions.

The study was approved by the Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision no: 2019- 51; Date: 30.07.2019).

As this study was retrospective, a consent form was not obtained from the patient.

Externally peer-reviewed.

Concept/Design - SK, EK; Analysis/Interpretation - SK, EK; Data Collection - BK; Writing - BK, SK; Critical Revision - SK, BK; Statistical Analysis - SK; Overall Responsibility - BK; Final Approval - All of authors.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.