Key result
Mobile phone and Bluetooth use linked to increased mean RR intervals, suggesting higher sympathetic tone.
Why the study?
The effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and Bluetooth devices on cardiac autonomic modulation and cardiovascular functions remain understudied.
Does exposure to mobile phone and Bluetooth radiation alter heart rate variability in healthy young males?
Observational (n=50)
No
Does exposure to mobile phone and Bluetooth radiation alter heart rate variability in healthy young males?
Mean Difference: 10.867
Absolute Event Rate: 885.691% vs 874.824%
p-value: p=0.003
Acute exposure to mobile phone and Bluetooth radiation may increase sympathetic tone and alter heart rate variability in healthy young men.
Mobile phone EMR was associated with sympathetic HRV shifts; leaves open clinical relevance pending larger prospective studies.
BACKGROUNDMobile phone technology revolution has resulted in a high-frequency electromagnetic environment which has resulted in a spectrum of potential health hazards.The effects of this widespread electromagnetic radiation (EMR) directly on autonomic tone of the body and thereby indirectly on modifying the functions of cardiovascular functions remains understudied.Studies have confirmed that autonomic system influences the beat to beat variability of heart rate and so heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is considered to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk.And so, this study was designed to measure the effects of electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones and Bluetooth on cardiac autonomic modulation by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODSECG recording and HRV analysis were done for 50 healthy male volunteers aged between 18 -25 years using Student Physiograph and Analogue to Digital Convertor.Time Domain Analysis Parameters and Frequency Domain Analysis Parameters were observed for mobile call usage -test I and Bluetooth usage -Test II. RESULTSThere was a significant increase in the heart rate which indicated an increase in sympathetic tone on mobile phone and Bluetooth device usage.Paired "t" test showed statistically significant value of 0.003 and 0.009 (p < 0.05) for mean MRR only, while the rest of the parameters studied exhibited considerable differences in between all the three pairs. CONCLUSIONThis study shows an impact of the hazardous effect of EMR emitted by mobile phones and Bluetooth devices on cardiovascular activity.With a sharp rise on mobile phone and Bluetooth users, it is very much essential to create awareness among the individuals regarding the hazardous effects of radiation emitted by these devices/gadgets so as to reduce the usage of the same and to undertake some safety measures.
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Sureshbalaji et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=50). Mobile phone and Bluetooth device usage vs. Resting state (no mobile phone or Bluetooth use) was evaluated on Mean RR interval (MRR) (MD 10.867, p=0.003). Mobile phone and Bluetooth device usage during a 5-minute call significantly increased mean RR intervals compared to a resting state (p=0.003 and p=0.009, respectively), which the authors interpreted as an increase in sympathetic tone.
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