High Mobile Phone Use May Increase Your Heart Disease Risk

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology. Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team.

A middle aged black man speaking on a mobile phone. Image credit: Freepik.

Mobile phone use, especially prolonged usage, may increase your risk of heart disease

In today's digitally connected world, mobile phones are an indispensable part of daily life globally and in Africa, where they are used for everything from business communications to maintaining family connections.

However, emerging research suggests that mobile phone usage may come with some unexpected health risks. 

A recent study has shed light on a link between mobile phone use and an increased risk of heart disease. This is a matter of significant concern for African mobile users who spend a considerable amount of time on their phones.

About The Study

The study was part of the United Kingdom (UK) Biobank and it followed over 444,000 individuals without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) over a period of 12 years. It amied to explore the impact of mobile phone use on heart health and the findings were alarming.

During the study period, 56,181 individuals developed CVD. Regular mobile phone users—defined as those who make at least one call per week—were found to have a 4% higher risk of developing heart disease compared to non-regular users.

As individuals used their phone more, this risk increased significantly. 

Persons who spent 1-3 hours per week on phone calls had a 13% higher risk while those who spent 4-6 hours per week saw a 15% increase.

Perhaps most concerning were individuals who spent more than 6 hours on calls per week as they experienced a 21% higher risk of developing heart disease. 

This increased risk was linked to several forms of heart disease including coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and irregular heartbeat.

These findings show the importance of understanding how lifestyle choices—like phone use—might impact long-term health especially in regions like Africa, where mobile phone usage is growing at an unprecedented rate. 

The study further identified several potential factors causing the rise in heart disease among frequent mobile phone users.

Firstly, disrupted sleep patterns were observed among heavy phone users and this accounted for about 5% of the increased heart disease risk. Additionally, higher levels of psychological stress were noted, contributing to around 11.5% of the risk. 

There was also a correlation between regular phone use and increased neuroticism—a personality trait associated with worry and anxiety—which accounted for about 2.25% of the risk.

Certain populations appeared to be more vulnerable to these risks, as the study found out. Smokers, for instance, were found to have an even greater likelihood of heart disease when frequent phone use was added to the mix.

Similarly, individuals with diabetes who frequently used mobile phones saw a more pronounced risk increase. These findings suggest that people with existing health conditions may need to be particularly cautious with their mobile phone habits.

The research had some limitations as it primarily focused on phone calls and did not examine other types of mobile phone use such as texting or internet browsing which may have different health impacts.

Additionally, the data was self-reported, which introduces the potential for inaccuracies and the study population was largely European, so the findings might not apply directly to African populations, given the different health and lifestyle contexts.

What Does This Mean for You?

The risks highlighted in this study require the implementation of several practical steps in order to remain safe.

First, it's wise to monitor your phone usage. Many smartphones now come with built-in tools to help track the amount of time spent on calls and where possible, users should aim to keep weekly call time below one hour.

Hands-free options, such as earphones, Bluetooth headsets or placing your phone on speaker during a call are ways to reduce direct contact with the phone, although the study did not find a significant difference between hands-free and direct phone use. 

Furthermore, you need to prioritize good sleeping habits. When you're about to sleep, avoid using your phone as this helps to ensure better sleep quality, which in turn supports your heart health.

Managing stress is equally important as consistent phone usage has been linked to elevated stress levels, hence regular "digital detoxes" or scheduled breaks from phone use can be beneficial.

Wrap Up

The takeaway is clear: mobile phone use, especially prolonged usage, may increase your risk of heart disease.

However, this doesn’t mean you need to stop using your phone entirely. The key is moderation. Reducing the length of phone conversations, particularly for those who smoke or have diabetes, could play a vital role in protecting their heart. Furthermore, maintaining healthy sleep patterns and managing stress effectively are essential for mitigating these risks.

With time, we may gain a deeper understanding of how mobile phones affect our health. In the meantime, staying informed and making small changes to your phone habits could significantly improve your heart health in the long run.

If you have concerns about your heart or mobile phone usage, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your individual situation and risk factors.

Source:

Zhang, Y, Ye, Z, Zhang, Y, He, P, Gan, X, & Qin, X. (2024). Regular Mobile Phone Use and Incident Cardiovascular Diseases: Mediating Effects of Sleep Patterns, Psychological Distress, and Neuroticism. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 81(6), 569-580. Available from here

Related: Cardiovascular Diseases and Heart Attack in Africa

Published: October 13, 2024

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