A recently published study in the European Heart Journal – Digital Health explores the potential health implications of extended mobile phone usage, specifically focusing on the risk of developing high blood pressure. The study found that individuals who engage in mobile phone conversations for 30 minutes or more per week face a 12% higher risk of high blood pressure compared to those who spend less time on phone calls.
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This comprehensive study utilized the UK Biobank database, including a sample of 212,046 adults aged between 37 and 73 years without any history of hypertension. Participants provided details about their mobile phone habits, such as years of use, weekly hours spent on phone calls, and whether they used hands-free devices or speakerphones.
Under the leadership of Professor Xianhui Qin from Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, the research team investigated the connection between mobile phone usage and the onset of hypertension. The analysis took into account numerous factors, including demographics, medical history, and lifestyle habits.
The study's results revealed that during a median follow-up period of 12 years, 13,984 participants (7%) developed hypertension. Furthermore, mobile phone users were found to have a 7% higher risk of hypertension compared to non-users. Those who spent 30 minutes or more per week on mobile phone calls were 12% more likely to develop high blood pressure than those who spent less time on phone calls. These findings were consistent across both genders.
The research also highlighted a correlation between the duration of weekly phone calls and the risk of high blood pressure. The study found that, compared to those who spent less than 5 minutes per week on mobile phone calls, individuals with longer weekly call durations had an increased risk of developing hypertension, ranging from 8% for 30-59 minutes to 25% for more than 6 hours per week. Notably, the research did not identify any significant connection between hypertension risk and years of mobile phone use or the use of hands-free devices or speakerphones.
The study further examined the association between mobile phone usage time and new-onset hypertension based on participants' genetic predisposition to develop the condition. The findings showed that individuals with a high genetic risk who spent at least 30 minutes a week talking on a mobile had a 33% higher likelihood of developing hypertension compared to those with a low genetic risk who spent less than 30 minutes a week on the phone.
In light of these findings, Professor Qin advises, "To maintain heart health, it is advisable to limit mobile phone conversations to under 30 minutes per week. While more research is needed to confirm our results, it is prudent to minimize mobile phone call duration until further evidence is available." This study underscores the importance of being aware of and managing mobile phone usage to mitigate potential health risks, particularly for individuals with a genetic predisposition to hypertension.
If you are interested in more details about the underlying study, be sure to check out the paper published in the European Heart Journal - Digital Health listed below.
Sources and further reading:
Mobile phone calls, genetic susceptibility and new-onset hypertension: results from 212,046 UK Biobank participants (European Heart Journal - Digital Health)
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