Intermittent fasting and heart disease is one of the popular and controversial topics in 2024. Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that gained popularity due to its numerous health benefits. This method is known to ideally improve the human body health, therefore it gained immense popularity around the globe. Intermittent fasting has become a trend that is considered extraordinarily helpful in losing weight, lowering blood cholesterol levels, improving metabolic health, and thereby maintaining body fitness. But it is not beneficial to everyone and the question is “Who should not do intermittent fasting?” Its effectiveness depends on the person’s overall health wellness and his previous medical history. Intermittent fasting is a diet plan but not in the traditional sense. It is a time-restricted eating schedule or a cycle. It consists of alternating patterns of eating and fasting.

There exist various intermittent fasting patterns. During these fasting patterns, several metabolic changes occur in the human body that have mind-blowing impacts on mind, body, and heart health. 

• The 16/8 Method

This method suggests a fixed window of eating 8 hours every day. Consume food within these 8 hours and fast for the remaining 16 hours. Any kind of food is not allowed during these 16 hours but drinks like water, tea, or coffee can be consumed.

• The 5:2 Diet

Intake a restricted amount of 500-600 calories for only 2 out of 7 days in a week. During the remaining 5 days, eat anything you eat as usual in your daily life routine.

• Eat-Stop-Eat

This method is done once or twice a week. It is a whole day fast of 24 hours in which you don’t eat anything from one dinner to the next. 

Intermittent Fasting and Heart Health

It is found that intermittent fasting promotes heart health and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Heart attacks and strokes are one of the major causes of death around the globe. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that almost 17.9 million people in the world die from cardiovascular disorders every year. Health is wealth. The statement highlights the fact that our health should be at the top of our priority list. Thus, we need to know the health benefits of intermittent fasting on the human heart.

1. Research has shown that intermittent fasting effectively reduces the markers of inflammation, like C-reactive protein (CRP).

2. It positively influences the lipid profile by increasing HDL cholesterol levels and reducing LDL and triglycerides.

3. Intermittent fasting reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and controlling blood sugar levels.

4.  Reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation, weight loss, and enhanced insulin sensitivity, intermittent fasting reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 

5. Intermittent fasting helps reduce visceral fat and total body weight, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

All the above-mentioned points indicate the impacts of intermittent fasting on the human body. Intermittent fasting reduces the risk of heart stroke and other cardiovascular disease. But these factors are being further studied and there is no fixed idea or concept that IF essentially reduces the risk of heart problems. Everyone should consult their doctors before making decisions and do accordingly. Health holds a significant hold in our lives and everyone desires to adopt the proven health tips that are recommended by the world’s top nutritionists, researchers, and health experts. 

Who Should Not Do Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone particularly those with specific medical issues. The following people should refrain from intermittent fasting:

1. Kids under the age of 18

2. Individuals suffering from severe Heart Diseases

3. Patients with Diabetes

4. Women who are expecting or nursing 

5. People who suffer from Eating Disorders 

6. Individuals with Low Blood Pressure

Does Intermittent Fasting Increase the Risk of Cardiac Death?

A recent study indicates the impact of 8-hour time-restricted eating linked to a 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death. However, the findings have not been properly approved and the results are not declared universally. One of the main causes is that the previous studies indicate findings in which animals were tested in laboratories so there is no strong evidence of its effectiveness on humans. Intermittent fasting has both negative and positive effects on human health. A person should work to maintain an ideal and balanced body weight but doing IF to an extreme level will definitely cause weakness and other health and heart disorders. Intermittent fasting is known to reduce blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels and an extreme reduction in their levels can cause a severe heart stroke. Adapting IF for a short term essentially brings some positive health benefits but continuously doing it for years will ultimately cause severe health problems. Therefore, one should be completely aware of its numerous positive and negative health impacts on overall body health. This article also outlines the negative impacts of intermittent fasting:

1. Fluctuations in Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels

A sudden drop in the blood sugar levels during intermittent fasting leads to stimulation of adrenaline and cortisol. Heart rate and blood pressure are increased due to these stress hormones. If such conditions occur continuously during IF, one must immediately stop because it causes severe weakening of the heart. 

2. Electrolyte Imbalance

Potassium, magnesium, and sodium are very crucial in maintaining heart health. Sometimes, there is electrolyte loss and dehydration in the body during intermittent fasting. Due to the electrolyte imbalance, a person may feel irregular heartbeats and palpitations or even severe heart pain.

3. Potential for Overeating and Poor Diet Choices

People usually feel starved after fasting periods, intermittent fasting can result in overeating or making bad nutritional decisions. They tend to eat unhealthy items heavy in calories and sugar, such poor diet choices counteract the potential benefits of fasting and increase the risk of heart disease by causing weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased cholesterol levels. 

Intermittent fasting is a very helpful approach for various health problems but it is never without risks. A person who intends to adopt IF should clearly speak to his doctor or specialist because with countless benefits, it also negatively impacts our body. In my opinion, intermittent fasting for a long time is not recommended rather a proper exercise routine, healthy eating habits, and proper medical check-ups after regular intervals are more proven ways to maintain body health and prevent severe physical and heart disorders.