Acute Effect of Mobile Phone on Cardiac Electrical Activity in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Background: A large number of publications have appeared in medical and scientific literature which show the hazardous effects of the mobile phone due to its radiofrequencies on reproductive system, autonomic nervous and immune system as well as cardiovascular system. However, so far the biological effect of the radiofrequency emitted from the mobile phone was not clear. Aim: To assess the effect of mobile phone on electrical cardiac activity by analysing the heart rate, QT interval, corrected QT Interval and QT dispersions while the mobile phone is to the proximity of heart. Settings and Design: This prospective, non-randomized study was carried out at private tertiary care hospital, for the period of 24 months. Methods and Material: One hundred healthy human volunteers were recruited in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The heart rate and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded in all the participants (supine position) in 3 situations: without mobile phone, mobile phone switched on (not ringing), and mobile phone ringing. We performed statistical analysis of variance (p < 0.05) to compare the ECG variables in all three situations. Results: There was no statistically significant difference observed in heart rate and ECG variables (QT interval, corrected QT interval, QT dispersion) in three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that the mobile phone positioned to the proximity of the heart has no effect on the heart rate or cardiac electrical activity.