Electromagnetic energy radiated from mobile phone alters electrocardiographic records of patients with ischemic heart disease.

Annals of medical and health sciences research · 2012 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 3159

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnals of medical and health sciences research · 2012

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic energy radiated from mobile phones did not show significant effect on the blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in animals and humans. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of radiofrequency of mobile phone on the electrocardiographic parameters in patients with history of ischemic heart disease, taking into consideration the gender factor. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total number of 356 participants (129 males and 227 females) were admitted in this study. They were grouped into: subjects without cardiac diseases (Group I), patients with ischemic heart disease (Group II), and patients with history of cardiac diseases not related to myocardial ischemia (Group III). Electrocardiogram was obtained from each patient when the mobile phone was placed at the belt level and over precordium in turn-off mode (baseline) and turn-on mode for 40 sec ringing. The records of ECG were electronically analyzed. RESULTS: Prolongation of QTc interval was significantly observed in male gender of Groups I and III (P < 0.001). Male patients of Group II showed significant QTc interval prolongation (P = 0.01) and changes in the voltage criteria (P = 0.001). These changes were not observed in female patients with ischemic heart disease. The position of mobile at the belt level or over the precordium showed effects on the heart. CONCLUSIONS: The radiofrequency of cell phone prolongs the QT interval in human beings and it interferes with voltage criteria of ECG records in male patients with myocardial ischemia.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPatients with ischemic heart disease; comparison groups included subjects without cardiac diseases and patients with non-ischemic cardiac disease history; both sexes

Sample size356

ExposureRF · 40 sec ringing (turn-on mode)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In males, QTc interval prolongation was significantly observed in Groups I and III (P<0.001). Male patients with ischemic heart disease (Group II) showed significant QTc prolongation (P=0.01) and changes in ECG voltage criteria (P=0.001); these changes were not observed in female patients with ischemic heart disease. Mobile phone position (belt level vs over precordium) showed effects on the heart.

Outcomes measured

Electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters
QTc interval
Voltage criteria (ECG)

Limitations

Frequency and SAR of the mobile phone exposure were not reported in the abstract.
Exposure duration was short (40 seconds ringing).
Study design details (e.g., randomization/blinding) are not described in the abstract.
Outcome reporting appears stratified by sex and group; full set of ECG parameters assessed is not specified in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "40 sec ringing (turn-on mode)"
  },
  "population": "Patients with ischemic heart disease; comparison groups included subjects without cardiac diseases and patients with non-ischemic cardiac disease history; both sexes",
  "sample_size": 356,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters",
    "QTc interval",
    "Voltage criteria (ECG)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In males, QTc interval prolongation was significantly observed in Groups I and III (P<0.001). Male patients with ischemic heart disease (Group II) showed significant QTc prolongation (P=0.01) and changes in ECG voltage criteria (P=0.001); these changes were not observed in female patients with ischemic heart disease. Mobile phone position (belt level vs over precordium) showed effects on the heart.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and SAR of the mobile phone exposure were not reported in the abstract.",
    "Exposure duration was short (40 seconds ringing).",
    "Study design details (e.g., randomization/blinding) are not described in the abstract.",
    "Outcome reporting appears stratified by sex and group; full set of ECG parameters assessed is not specified in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "mobile phone",
    "electrocardiogram",
    "QTc interval",
    "ischemic heart disease",
    "myocardial ischemia",
    "sex differences",
    "voltage criteria"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure source is a mobile phone in turn-on (ringing) vs turn-off mode with ECG outcomes."
    },
    {
      "slug": "cardiovascular-effects",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "Assesses ECG changes (QTc, voltage criteria) in cardiac patients."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4103/2141-9248.105662
PubMed: 23440607

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