Potential Changes in Blood Pressure during Fasting In Young Adults

Background: Fasting is widely practiced as a non-pharmacological intervention that may influence cardiovascular health, including blood pressure regulation. Elevated blood pressure in young adults is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate changes in blood pressure during fasting and after breaking the fast among young adults. Methods: An experimental study with a one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted involving 100 young adult participants aged 18–24 years. Subjects underwent fasting for eight hours prior to blood pressure measurement. Blood pressure was measured again 30 minutes after breakfast using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test followed by the Wilcoxon test due to non-normal data distribution. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure during fasting was 102.66 mmHg, increasing to 108.06 mmHg after breaking the fast. Mean diastolic blood pressure during fasting was 70.01 mmHg and increased slightly to 70.70 mmHg after breaking the fast. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant increase in systolic blood pressure after breaking the fast compared with fasting conditions (p=0.000), while no significant difference was observed in diastolic blood pressure (p=0.238). Conclusions: These findings suggest that fasting may contribute to lowering systolic blood pressure in young adults. Fasting may therefore serve as a supportive non-pharmacological strategy for maintaining cardiovascular stability and supporting systemic health prior to dental treatment procedures.