(NaturalHealth365)  Cell phones have become integral to life in recent years.  The average person uses their cell phone for four hours and thirty minutes daily.  This level of phone use equates to more than 25% of one’s waking hours.

A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology reveals cell phone use does more than decrease attention spans and distract from the important things in life.  The data shows cell phones also damage the heart.

What regular cell phone use does to the heart

Frequent cell phone use has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.  Studies suggest that the addictive nature of cell phones can disrupt sleeping patterns and heighten stress levels, potentially causing damage to the heart.  Moreover, data from the study referenced indicates that regular cell phone use may also contribute to psychological distress.

Key Study Details:

• Participants:  444,027 individuals from Scotland, Wales, and England.
• Timeframe:  Data collected between 2006 and 2010 through the UK Biobank—a comprehensive resource for studying the impact of genetic and environmental factors on health outcomes.
• Exclusions:  Only individuals with no prior history of cardiovascular disease were included.

In this study, making one phone call per week qualified as regular mobile phone use.  Participants self-reported their usage, which was measured as the total time spent on phone calls over three months.

The findings highlight a growing concern: while mobile phones have become indispensable, their habitual use could pose significant risks to heart health.

The shocking cell phone study results that will motivate you to break free from the small screen

The study followed participants for a median period of 12 years and uncovered startling results: 56,181 individuals out of 444,027 developed cardiovascular disease.

The findings revealed a significant connection between regular cell phone use and a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.  The risk was especially pronounced among those who smoked, further compounding the potential dangers of habitual phone use.

The study identified three key factors linking cell phone use to cardiovascular disease:

1. Neuroticism: Increased feelings of anxiety or emotional instability, common with heavy phone use, can strain the heart over time.
2. Psychological distress: The addictive nature of constant connectivity may heighten stress levels, further impacting heart health.
3. Low-quality sleep: Disrupted or insufficient sleep – often exacerbated by excessive screen time – has long been associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes.

These interconnected factors create a perfect storm, emphasizing the importance of managing screen time to protect both mental and physical health.  This research is a wake-up call to prioritize balance and break free from the small screen for a healthier heart.

Regular cell phone use poses additional risks everyone should be aware of

Beyond increasing cardiovascular risk, cell phones pose additional health hazards due to the radiation they emit.  The widespread rollout of 5G connectivity has massively amplified these risks.

Radiation exposure from cell phones damages the body in multiple ways, primarily by increasing oxidative stress, which damages cells, tissues, and organs.  This damage contributes to the development of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, while harmful free radicals and peroxides generated by oxidative stress accelerate aging and chronic health conditions.

Studies also link cell phone radiation to higher rates of breast and brain cancers.  Additionally, radiation disrupts REM sleep, which is essential for mental and physical restoration, and has been shown to reduce sperm counts by up to 50%, posing significant risks to reproductive health.

Strategies to minimize your cell phone screen time

If you struggle to put your phone down while on break, at lunch, after work, or in bed, rest assured you are not alone.  Put a note on your desk or kitchen table as a reminder to check your daily phone screen time.  Limit yourself to an hour or less of phone use per day.

Regular cell phone users might also find it helpful to sell their addictive smartphone.  Get rid of your smartphone in favor of a “dumb” phone that is limited to calls and texts, and you’ll spend significantly less time staring at the screen.

Above all, be mindful of your social media use.  Social media is the primary cause of cell phone addiction.  If you spend more than 45 minutes per day using online socials, consider deleting them from your phone in favor of face-to-face interactions away from the screen

Sources for this article include:

Onlinecjc.ca
Medicalnewstoday.com
Statista.com