Mobile phone calls, genetic susceptibility, and new-onset hypertension: results from 212 046 UK Biobank participants

Authors: Ye Z, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Yang S, Liu M, Wu Q, Zhou C, He P, Gan X, Qin X

Year: 2023

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: European Heart Journal - Digital Health

Institution: UK Biobank

DOI: 10.1093/ehjdh/ztad024

URL: https://academic.oup.com/ehjdh/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ehjdh/ztad024/7131479

Abstract

Overview

This study investigates the link between mobile phone usage frequency and the onset of hypertension in a cohort of UK Biobank participants without prior hypertension.

Methods and Results

  • The study included 212,046 participants, tracking them across a median of 12.0 years.
  • Conditions for hypertension were significantly higher in individuals using mobile phones for calls once a week when compared to non-users, with various degrees of risk escalation correlating directly with usage frequency.
  • Increasing weekly usage times of <30 mins to over 6 hours resulted in elevated risk levels.
  • Participants with genetic predispositions to hypertension combined with high mobile phone usage exhibited the most significant risk increases.

Conclusions

There is a pronounced association between the frequency of mobile phone calls and the risk of developing new-onset hypertension, particularly among those who use their phones more frequently. This association appears to be potentiated by genetic factors.

mobile phone use hypertension health risks genetic susceptibility UK Biobank epidemiology study EMF safety
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