World Hypertension Day: How using mobile phones increase risk of blood pressure

Hyderabad: A new study has revealed that increased use of mobile phones enhances the risk of hypertension.

The 12-year-long study

Talking on mobile phones for 30 minutes or more per week is linked with a 12% increased risk of high blood pressure compared to those who spoke less than 30 minutes.

The risk increased to 25% among those who used the phone for more than six hours in a week, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal – Digital Health, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). However, the researchers note that it is an observational study and is ‘hypothesis-generating.’ More conclusive studies are required.

A total of 2,12,046 participants with a mean age of 54 years from the UK Biobank database were enrolled in this study to investigate if frequent use of mobile phones to make or receive calls was associated with incident hypertension. Of these, 62% were women.

None of the participants had been diagnosed with hypertension at the time of their recruitment. Data on the use of mobile phones was gathered through self-reported questionnaires, which revealed that 88% of the study subjects were mobile phone users. The follow-up was for 12 years during which 13,984 (7%) study participants developed incident hypertension.

People who were mobile phone users were at higher risk of developing new-onset hypertension with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.07. The risk increased in proportion to the weekly duration of phone use.

The risk was increased by 33% among those who were genetically predisposed to develop hypertension and also used their phones for longer hours (more than 30 minutes) during the week.

Indirect connection of phones and high BP

Dr. C Raghu, a senior interventional cardiologist from Yashoda Hospital avers, “While there is no conclusive data about the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones causing hypertension, there is an indirect link as prolonged usage of mobile phones for talking often leads to heated discussion, arguments, and work-related tension.

All these cause stress, a major risk factor for hypertension. Another cause of stress is sleep disturbance, sleep deprivation as people tend to spend long hours talking or watching videos and playing games on phones, especially at night. Addiction to gambling on cell phones has led to financial loss, jeopardized family relations, and caused a lot of stress to the individual as well as to the family members.

This cell phone obsession has led to a sedentary lifestyle among all age groups, increasing obesity among the population, which is a root cause of several lifestyle diseases including hypertension, even among the youth.”

What is hypertension or high BP?

Dr V Rajasekhar, senior interventional cardiologist and electrophysiologist from Yashoda Hospital says, “High blood pressure occurs when the pressure on blood vessels increases more than the normal level of 120/80.

This pressure is transmitted to the heart, forcing it to work harder for pumping blood. The heart becomes thicker and may develop left ventricular hypertrophy. Plaque formation inside the arteries takes place enhancing the risk of heart attacks. High BP also increases the risk of brain stroke and damage to the kidneys in the long run.Usually, BP- regulating medicines have to be taken lifelong for the chronic condition.”

Minimizing the risk of hypertension

Cutting down the modifiable risk factors can help prevent hypertension. Except for genetic predisposition, other risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excess salt in the diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, and stress – can all be controlled through lifestyle modification.

One should also regularly check their blood pressure at least annually or every six months after the age of 24 years, adds Dr. Rajasekhar.

“Lifestyle is the first step in the treatment of mild and moderate hypertension, failing which the individual is started on drugs. Lifestyle changes are known to be effective in preventing the onset of drug therapy, controlling blood pressure, and preventing complications. Simple lifestyle changes proven to be beneficial include cutting down on salt in the diet, regular physical activity, weight control, adequate good-quality sleep, yoga, and meditation to reduce stress, tobacco cessation, the avoidance of alcohol-containing beverages, and strict adherence to the same besides drugs when necessary,” says Dr. Jaideep Menon, consultant adult cardiologist, Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

Alarming statistics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension is considered one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide.

Among the Indian population, among those diagnosed, only 25% of rural and 38% of urban Indians are receiving treatment for hypertension. In India, hypertension directly accounts for 57% of all stroke-related deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease (CHD)-related deaths.