New research from China indicates that cellphone use may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, particularly among smokers and diabetics. The study suggests that poor sleep, psychological stress, and neuroticism could be contributing factors.
Dr. Xianhui Qin, a co-investigator, stated, “Poor sleep patterns and mental health issues can negatively impact cardiovascular health through disrupted circadian rhythms, hormonal imbalances, and increased inflammation.”
However, this study relies on data from nearly 20 years ago. Researchers tracked 444,000 middle-aged adults who reported their phone usage between 2006 and 2010. “Regular” use was defined as making or receiving at least one call per week. About 23% of participants used their phones an hour a week.
Participants were monitored for approximately 12 years, and researchers analyzed hospital and death records for strokes, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Over 56,000 participants developed cardiovascular diseases. Regular users, especially smokers and diabetics, showed a higher risk of these conditions.
The study found that 11.5% of cases were linked to psychological distress, 5.1% to poor sleep, and 2.25% to neuroticism. An editorial in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, which reviewed the study, noted its limitations. It pointed out that the data predates the widespread use of modern smartphones, which are now used for various activities beyond calling.
The study also raised concerns about the potential health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by cellphones. In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified RF-EMF as possibly carcinogenic based on limited evidence.
Nevertheless, a recent WHO-commissioned review found no link between cellphone radiation and brain cancer, even among heavy users. “This systematic review provides the strongest evidence to date that radio waves from wireless technologies are not a health hazard,” said Ken Karipidis, lead author of the review.
