Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. İhsan Bakır, M.D. emphasizes that Ramadan is a chance to quit smoking and says that smokers, who keep away from smoking most of the day during Ramadan, chain-smoking in iftar and suhoor triggers heart attack.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. İhsan Bakır, M.D. calls attention to the fact that smoking in iftar and suhoor play a key role in the heart attacks occurring during Ramadan. Pointing out that Ramadan is a chance to quit smoking, Bakır says that smokers, who keep away from smoking most of the day during Ramadan, chain-smoking in iftar and suhoor triggers heart attack.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. İhsan Bakır, M.D. states that chain-smoking in suhoor and iftar causes high concentrations of nicotine and toxins to mix with blood. Prof. İhsan Bakır, M.D. continues, “We recommend those who fast to start the meal with a bowl of light soup as eating too much brings a heavy burden to stomach and heart after a hunger of over 15 hours. If an iftar menu of low-fat, light meals is eaten slowly, the metabolism does not exert itself. It is recommended that they take breaks between meals and eat intermittently and in small amounts until suhoor. Cardiac patients can also fast only under the supervision of a physician. There are over 15 million smokers in Turkey. It means possible 15 million cardiac and cancer patients. Research has proven that smoking is among the biggest triggers of heart attack and cancer. As Nobel-winning scientist Prof. Aziz Sancar said, the greatest factor of cancer and heart attack is that toxin in the cigarette smoke disrupts the DNA structure. Hunger over 15 hours during Ramadan is a great opportunity for those who want to quit smoking. A person who persevere without smoking even in one iftar has already surpassed the psychological threshold in addiction. Later days will be easier.”
“THE HADITH ‘FAST TO BE HEALTHY’ IS A SCIENTIFIC FACT”
Addressing the scientific reality behind the hadith ‘Fast to be healthy’, Prof. İhsan Bakır, M.D. says, “It is medically beneficial for the body when healthy individuals fast. While balancing the blood lipids, fasting also provide increase in benign cholesterol levels. Fasting is very beneficial for the relaxation of metabolism as well. But fasting in the presence of a health problem can do more harm than good.”
“SIESTA DURING RAMADAN PREVENTS HEART ATTACK”
Recommending that those who find the chance have siestas during Ramadan, Prof. İhsan Bakır, M.D. says, “Those who have a siesta when fasting have indirectly lower risk of having a heart attack. Problems such as irregularity in blood pressure and heart rhythm of even healthy people, fainting and decreased blood sugar can be observed due to loss of fluid and saline on hot and long days. Sleeping for one hour at noon during these long days is therefore beneficial. This kind of sleep facilitates the fasting as it is important to prevent body’s loss of water and electrolyte.