Is Your Mobile Phone Putting Your Heart at Risk? New Study Suggests a Possible Link
A recent study suggests that regular mobile phone use may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially in smokers and people with diabetes. This link is associated with factors such as poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism.
Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the study examined data from 444,027 participants in the UK Biobank without a prior history of cardiovascular diseases. Participants reported their mobile phone usage between 2006 and 2010, with regular use defined as making at least one call per week. The researchers tracked occurrences of stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years.
The findings indicated that using a mobile phone for 5–29 minutes per day increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 3%, while more than six hours of use raised the risk by 21%. The study also highlighted that prolonged phone usage could disrupt circadian rhythms and cause endocrine and metabolic imbalances, contributing to increased inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Lead author Yanjun Zhang noted that the radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones might cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, affecting heart health. Co-investigator Xianhui Qin added that these effects, combined with factors like smoking and diabetes, could further heighten the risk.
An accompanying editorial by co-author Nicholas Grubic emphasized that while there is evidence suggesting mobile phone use could modestly increase cardiovascular risks, more definitive research is needed. He recommended adopting mindful mobile phone habits as part of a broader strategy to maintain cardiovascular health.
A recent study suggests that regular mobile phone use may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially in smokers and people with diabetes. This link is associated with factors such as poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism.
Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the study examined data from 444,027 participants in the UK Biobank without a prior history of cardiovascular diseases. Participants reported their mobile phone usage between 2006 and 2010, with regular use defined as making at least one call per week. The researchers tracked occurrences of stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years.
The findings indicated that using a mobile phone for 5–29 minutes per day increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 3%, while more than six hours of use raised the risk by 21%. The study also highlighted that prolonged phone usage could disrupt circadian rhythms and cause endocrine and metabolic imbalances, contributing to increased inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Lead author Yanjun Zhang noted that the radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones might cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, affecting heart health. Co-investigator Xianhui Qin added that these effects, combined with factors like smoking and diabetes, could further heighten the risk.
An accompanying editorial by co-author Nicholas Grubic emphasized that while there is evidence suggesting mobile phone use could modestly increase cardiovascular risks, more definitive research is needed. He recommended adopting mindful mobile phone habits as part of a broader strategy to maintain cardiovascular health.
Is Your Mobile Phone Putting Your Heart at Risk? New Study Suggests a Possible Link
A recent study suggests that regular mobile phone use may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially in smokers and people with diabetes. This link is associated with factors such as poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism.
Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the study examined data from 444,027 participants in the UK Biobank without a prior history of cardiovascular diseases. Participants reported their mobile phone usage between 2006 and 2010, with regular use defined as making at least one call per week. The researchers tracked occurrences of stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years.
The findings indicated that using a mobile phone for 5–29 minutes per day increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 3%, while more than six hours of use raised the risk by 21%. The study also highlighted that prolonged phone usage could disrupt circadian rhythms and cause endocrine and metabolic imbalances, contributing to increased inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Lead author Yanjun Zhang noted that the radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones might cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, affecting heart health. Co-investigator Xianhui Qin added that these effects, combined with factors like smoking and diabetes, could further heighten the risk.
An accompanying editorial by co-author Nicholas Grubic emphasized that while there is evidence suggesting mobile phone use could modestly increase cardiovascular risks, more definitive research is needed. He recommended adopting mindful mobile phone habits as part of a broader strategy to maintain cardiovascular health.
