Several researchers across the globe are studying the potential link between cellphone use and hypertension. A new study, published in the European heart journal, now has shed some light on the link between the two: if cell phone conversations add up to 30 minutes or more a week, it could increase one’s risk for high blood pressure.
Hypertension, commonly termed high blood pressure, is often referred to as the silent killer. Reason: the health condition, in its early stage, does not cause noticeable signs or symptoms. In fact, several hypertension patients, may not even be aware they have the condition until a doctor diagnoses it after experiencing complications.
Dr. Aashish Contractor, Director, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Sir, H N Reliance Foundation hospital, referring to the new study, highlights that researchers, in essence prescribing a ‘careful use of mobile phones’. Dr. Contractor, however, says that more scientific studies are required to arrive at a conclusion that there is a link between cellphone use and hypertension.
“Anything in excess is bad. While all possible lifestyle modifications are needed to control hypertension, what the study is prescribing is the careful use of mobile phones. However, more scientific studies are required. Mobiles have become an inevitable part of our life and hence we need to take a deeper dive into the issues,” Dr Contractor says.
How did the researchers conduct the study?
Researchers conducted the study to identify modifiable factors that could improve the primary prevention of hypertension and reduce the associated severe disease. Hence, they decided to understand the link between making and receiving mobile calls and new-onset hypertension.
The study included more than two lakh participants without prior hypertension in the UK Biobank. Information on mobile users to make and receive calls was collected through a self-reported touch-screen questionnaire at baseline including years of use, hours per week, and the use of a hands-free device or speakerphone
What did the results reveal?
Researchers followed participants for 12 years and during that time about 1 in 14 people or 7 per cent developed hypertension.
People who talked on their mobile for 30 minutes or more per week had a 12 percent greater likelihood of new-onset high blood pressure than participants who spent less than 30 minutes on phone calls. The results were similar for women and men.
In the study, the author Xianhui Qin, a professor at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China highlights the number of minutes that people talk on their cell phones appears to matter for heart health, with more minutes adding up to greater risk.
However, using cell phones long-term may not affect the risk of hypertension provided people talk for no more than 30 minutes per week, he has said.
According to the researchers in the study, mobile phones have an estimated 8.2 billion subscriptions worldwide in 2020. This raises important questions about the safety of a cell phone to make or receive calls, especially for heavy users. They pointed out that there were studies in animals or human cells that suggest long-term exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones was related to oxidative stress, increased inflammation, and DNA damage that could lead to the development of hypertension.
So, can we generalise these findings?
No. Dr Jagdish Hiremath, Director, Cathlab, Ruby Hall Clinic says this is a typical European epidemiology study and that there are too many variables, in terms of how people respond.
“In medical terms, it is a robust study but not very scientific and lacks a bit of accuracy. As a general observation, lifestyle changes are always recommended. However, we will have to wait till the new European guidelines are published on this issue. Till then general guidelines can be followed as there is merit in the study’s observations,” Dr Hiremath said.
While a general statement cannot be made that mobile use leads to hypertension, Dr Sunil Sathe, consulting cardiologist said it made sense to avoid excess mobile use. Those who are genetically susceptible to hypertension need to be cautious and ensure that they are not continuously on their cellphones, he added.
Increasing prevalence of hypertension
The rates of hypertension were projected to go up to 22.9 per cent and 23.6 per cent for Indian men and women respectively by 2025 according to a study published in the Journal of Hypertension. Recent studies are showing an increasing prevalence in the country to be up 25 per cent in urban and 10 per cent in rural people. Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a significant risk factor for death and disability in India. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organisation, high blood pressure is responsible for 10.8 percent of deaths and 4.6 percent of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in India.
