It’s a threat to your heart.
A recent study suggests that frequent cellphone use may pose a risk to heart health. According to the research, individuals who regularly use their phones have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.
The study reveals a correlation between cellphone usage duration and increased heart disease risk. Those who spend six or more hours a week on their phones face about a 21% higher risk, compared to a 15% higher risk for those using their phones four to six hours a week, and a 13% higher risk for those using their phones one to three hours weekly.
Dr. Ziliang Ye from Southern Medical University in China, who led the study, stated, “Our findings indicate that regular cellphone users have a notably higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those who use their phones less frequently.”
The research, which utilized data from over 444,000 participants in the UK Biobank project, involved tracking individuals for approximately 12 years to monitor diagnoses of stroke, heart disease, heart rhythm issues, or heart failure. Regular cellphone users, defined as those making at least one call per week, showed an increased risk of heart problems. The risk grew with the amount of cellphone use.
Researchers suggest that cellphone use could impact heart health through disruptions in sleep patterns and increased stress levels. Their findings show that individuals using their phones for over an hour weekly tend to experience poorer sleep compared to those who use their phones less. Poor sleep alone accounts for about 5% of the link between cellphone use and heart issues, while psychological distress related to cellphone use contributes an additional 11%.
Dr. Xianhui Qin, also from Southern Medical University, added, “Poor sleep and mental health can negatively impact cardiovascular health.” The study also explores the possibility that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by phones might cause inflammation, potentially affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Published on September 4 in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the study suggests that chronic exposure to RF-EMF radiation from phones could lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, which may exacerbate cardiovascular disease risk, particularly when combined with other risk factors like smoking and diabetes.
An editorial by epidemiologists at the University of Toronto underscores the study’s implications, advising moderation in cellphone use as part of a comprehensive approach to maintaining cardiovascular health. Nicolas Grubic, lead author of the editorial, encouraged readers to consider more heart-healthy activities instead of excessive smartphone use.
Discussion about this post