Do you spend hours glued to your smartphone, whether for social media or work? It's better if you reassess your habits. For, a new study published in Canadian Journal of Cardiology has suggested that frequent mobile phone use is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly among current smokers and individuals with diabetes.
The study is particularly relevant for India, where, as of January 2024, there were 1.12 billion mobile connections, encompassing 78 per cent of the country's population.
Study author Dr Yanjun Zhang from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China, warned that, “Given the pervasive nature of mobile phone use, understanding its health impacts is crucial. Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from these devices can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, cause inflammation, and induce oxidative stress. This can affect heart health and blood vessels. However, the precise connection between mobile phone use and CVD remains uncertain.”
His colleague and co-investigator Dr. Ziliang Ye echoed similar views. “We found that regular users face a significantly higher risk of developing these conditions compared to those who use their phones less frequently.”
The research, which analysed data from 444,027 individuals in the UK Biobank with reported mobile phone use from 2006 to 2010, defined regular use as making at least one call per week. Over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years, the study assessed incidences of stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, while also exploring the role of sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism.
Co-investigator Xianhui Qin, MD, emphasised that poor sleep patterns and mental health issues could exacerbate the risk of cardiovascular diseases through disrupted circadian rhythms, endocrine and metabolic disturbances, and increased inflammation. “Chronic RF-EMF exposure from mobile phones, combined with smoking and diabetes, may further amplify this risk.” Dr Vivek Shama, Associate consultant cardiology, Fortis Greater Noida who though not connected with the study, agreed.
“Yes, we do agree that mobile phone usage can adversely affect heart health. Excessive use of mobile phones, particularly during long conversations, exposes the body to high-frequency magnetic field waves. These waves can interfere with the heart's function, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, headaches, and even heart arrhythmias in some cases. We’ve particularly observed this in individuals who frequently use devices like EarPods. Although companies claim that these devices are safe, excessive usage can still result in complications for both the heart and brain,” he said.
Additionally, sleeping with your phone nearby can lead to headaches, migraines, and potentially other health issues. It is essential to minimize screen time, especially before bed, Sama warned and cautioned that excessive phone use, especially among the younger generation, can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and stress.
“This is largely due to the constant engagement with virtual platforms, which can result in unhealthy comparisons with others, leading to mental health issues. Prolonged screen time also reduces physical activity, contributing to obesity, particularly in children who are often given phones as distractions,” he said.
“Phones should be kept away while sleeping, and screen time should be minimized, particularly first thing in the morning,” he suggested.
