Can Cellphones Affect Your Heart Health? A Cardiologist Explains
JUNE 4, 2013 6:25 AM EDT
Every time I perform an
electrocardiogram (EKG), which measures changes in the heart's electric
currents, I am reminded that our bodies are energetic structures.
This is why it's worth
considering how new technologies, including cellphones, affect the function of
our cells. Without a doubt, cellphones can save lives. They enable quicker
notification of emergency medical services, speed up transmission of medical
records, and expedite the recording of an EKG for rhythm analysis.
But should we be worried about
how cellphones affect the function of the heart, especially because so many of
us carry these gadgets in our pocket right over our ticker?
Here's what we know:
electromagnetic energy emitted by cellphones appears to increase reactive
oxygen species (oxidation or rust, a common mechanism of aging and disease),
weakens cell membranes, and alters the handling of calcium in cells. A further
concern under investigation is possible damage to the DNA in mitochondria, the powerhouse
of all cells for energy production.
But .... Isn’t the government
watching out for our safety around cell phones?
In 1996, the FCC established
limits for safe exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy based on a measurement
called the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). In establishing SAR limits, the FCC
did not conduct any research on cell phones specifically and did not examine
any of the potential non-thermal effects of cellphones.
The 1996 FCC limits reflected six
minutes of cellphone use per day in a man with a large body frame and head
size. This didn't account for smaller-framed men and women, or children. Or the
fact that the average daily use of cellphones now exceeds 30 minutes.
Another concern is that the FCC
data does not reflect the relationship between position of the phone user and
the tower maintaining the call. The further a caller is from the tower or more
shielded they are (for example, in a car or building), the higher the energy
emitted from the gadget.
Driving and switching from cell
tower to tower is particularly associated with high energy output surges from
the phone. In recognition of the uncertainty of the health aspects of using
cell phones, the maker of my iPhone (and yours) includes a legal statement
under the tab "Legal" information which states “carry iPhone at
least 10 mm away from your body to ensure exposure levels remain at or below
the as-tested levels.”
Did you ever read that? Do you
and your children do that?
What do we know about cell phones
and cardiac health? (Not much)
Most well-maintained pacemakers
and defibrillators are unaffected by cell phone usage, although during
adjustments in a physician’s office or hospital, it's routine to have
cellphones off. Heart rate variability in healthy persons, a measure of cardiac
nervous system function, has been shown to be unaffected by cellphone use.
Recently several pieces of
information do raise some concerns worth sharing. Indian medical students were
studied during a call. A 1-minute phone call raised the heart rate in chronic
users of cell phones. The blood cholesterol levels were also higher in regular
users. A similar study was just reported at the American Society of
Hypertension meeting in May, which found that the ring of a cell phone caused
blood pressure to rise on average by 8 mmHg.
Of more concern is a published
study of patients with clogged heart arteries due to atherosclerosis. Over 100
of these patients had an EKG performed while a cell phone in the off position
was placed at their waist and then over their heart. Then the EKG was repeated
while the phone rang for 40 seconds at the same positions. Turns out that the
cell phone ring caused higher QT levels, which is associated with
heart rhythm problems.
So how can we use cell phones
safely?
Keep your distance. When it comes to your health and energy exposure from cell
phones or radiation, distance is your best friend. For example, in the
catheterization lab where I perform heart procedures, I stand as far from the
X-ray imager as possible (even though I also wear a lead lined outfit). As is
recommended inside my cell phone (and probably yours), keep the phone as far as
possible from your body.
Use a carrying case. Carrying a cellphone in your bra near sensitive breast tissue,
in your left front pocket over your heart, or in a front pocket by your sexual
organs is best avoided. (Sperm counts and function decrease when exposed to
cellphone frequencies.) It may be time for the man purse to make a comeback.
Put your phone in airplane mode whenever you can.
Use a headset whenever possible
to increase your distance from the phone. Consider one of the radiation-reducing
protective cell phone covers that can now be purchased and may
reduce radiation exposure by up to 90%. Avoid holding a cellphone by your head
while driving or in shielded areas where energy surges occur.
Eat your veggies! Keep your antioxidant levels high by eating a large amount of
colorful plant based foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Minimize other
sources of oxidation like smoking, chronic stress, poor sleep and processed
foods rich in sugar, salt, and fats. Finally, taking high quality plant based
vitamin rich supplement, whether a pill or a powder in a smoothie, to boost your
antioxidant levels in your bloodstream and tissues is worth considering.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9806/can-cellphones-affect-your-heart-health-a-cardiologist-explains.html
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