Phone chats over 30 mins/week may up high BP risk.

Mobile Phone Usage Linked to Higher Risk of Hypertension

A new study has found that even just 30 minutes of talking on a mobile phone per week can increase the risk of hypertension, a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal—Digital Health on May 4, examined the relationship between making and receiving phone calls and new-onset hypertension. Researchers found that those who spent half an hour once a week, even hands-free, were 12 percent more prone to higher blood pressure, also called hypertension. Furthermore, six hours of weekly phone chats raised the risk to 25 percent.

The study found that those with the highest risk were participants who had a high genetic risk of hypertension. Spending at least 30 minutes on the phone for them led to a 33 percent higher chance of hypertension. The reason behind the link is not yet known, and more research is needed. However, mobile phone usage emits low levels of radiofrequency energy, which has been linked to higher blood pressure after short-term exposure, the researchers said.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, often dubbed the “silent killer,” is one of the main causes of premature death in the world. The condition can damage arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases blood and oxygen flow and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Nearly 1.3 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide have high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults in the United States, 116 million people or 47 percent of the population, have hypertension, “defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg or are taking medication for hypertension.”

How to Determine Your Blood Pressure Levels

The most reliable way of determining your blood pressure levels is to have a doctor or other health professional measure it.

Symptoms of Hypertension

More often than not, a person with high blood pressure would tend to not show any symptoms. In cases where people with high blood pressure do experience symptoms, the ones to look out for include:

1. Headaches
2. Chest pain
3. Shortness of breath
4. Blurred vision
5. Nausea
6. Nosebleeds

Conclusion

Until more research is conducted, it seems prudent to keep cell phone calls to a minimum to maintain heart health. With almost three-quarters of the global population aged 10 and over owning a cell phone, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with mobile phone usage.