The effects of the duration of mobile phone use on heart rate variability parameters in healthy subjects

Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to estimate the influence of the duration of mobile phone use on heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy individuals.Methods:One hundred forty-eight individuals without any established systemic disease and who had undergone 24-h ambulatory ECG monitoring were included in the case-control study. All the individuals had been using mobile phones for more than 10 years. Three-channel 24-h Holter monitoring was performed to derive the mean heart rate, standard deviation of normal NN intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of 5-min (m) mean NN intervals (SDANN), the proportion of NN50 divided by the total number of NNs (pNN50), the root mean square differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), high (HF)-, low (LF)-, very low (VLF)-frequency power, total power components, and the LF/HF ratio. Individuals were divided into four groups according to their duration of mobile phone use [no mobile phone use (Control group), <30 min/day (Group 1), 30–60 min/day (Group 2), and >60 min/day (Group 3)].Results:All the groups had similar features with regard to demographic and clinical characteristics. No significant arrhythmias were observed in any of the groups. The LF/HF ratio was higher, whereas the SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, and pNN50 values were lower in the study groups than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant differences were identified among groups with respect to heart rate, VLF, and total power values (p>0.05).Conclusion:In this study, it was shown that the duration of mobile phone use may affect the autonomic balance in healthy subjects. The electromagnetic field created by mobile phone use may induce HRV changes in the long term.

Influence of electromagnetic environment of mobile communication devices on incidence of cardiovascular diseases

“…Positive correlation between EFD and all CVDs we detected, as well as with OM of IHD, allows us to introduce a hypothesis on possible action of RF EMF of mobile communication terminals on functional status of CVS with consequent development of CVD, which is in accord with literature data [16][17][18]. Results we obtained when stratifying data on the principle of urbanization are concordant with the literature [5] and strengthen the hypothesis of electromagnetic environment influence on incidence of CVD.…”

Cellular Phone Irradiation of the Head Affects Heart Rate Variability Depending on Inspiration/Expiration Ratio

“…We believe an interaction exists between the affected centres resulting in a delay of feedback which can increase HRV under 1:1 breathing and EMF exposure. This might be due to the excitation effect of cellular phone exposure on the brain (10), resulting in increased sympathetic activity in accordance with Braune et al (17) and Ekici and co-workers (37), considering also the relatively longer inspiratory period during the 1:1 breathing compared to the 1:2 pattern. During inhalation, respiratory sinus acceleration is a result of vagal withdrawal and increased sympathetic flow.…”

“…Other researchers came to similar conclusions regarding blood pressure and spectral HRV parameters in 120 volunteers (18). Upon habitual exposure to mobile phone radiation, the time domain HRV parameters were lower and the LF/HF ratio was higher, suggesting a shift to sympathetic activation compared to controls not using cellular phone at all (37).…”

Immediate effects of mobile phone radiations on heart rate variability in college going students

“…Ekici et al concluded that HRV may be influenced by long-term mobile phone usage. [22] In our study, SDNN parameter did not show any significant difference between the 3 phases. While recording HRV time domain parameters, we found that RMSSD values were significantly reduced during direct contact of mobile phone to the ear and by use of earphones in comparison to baseline recording.…”