Electromagnetic fields - do they pose a cardiovascular risk?

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields - do they pose a cardiovascular risk? Parizek D, Visnovcova N, Hamza Sladicekova K, Misek J, Jakus J, Jakusova J, Kohan M, Visnovcová Z, Ferencova N, Tonhajzerova I. Electromagnetic fields - do they pose a cardiovascular risk? Physiol Res. 2023 Apr 30;72(2):199- 208. Abstract Mobile wireless communication technologies have now become an everyday part of our lives, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Monitoring the autonomous system under exposition to electromagnetic fields may play an important role in broading of our still limited knowledge on their effect on human body. Thus, we studied the interaction of the high frequency electromagnetic field (HF EMF) with living body and its effect on the autonomic control of heart rate using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) linear and nonlinear analyses in healthy volunteers. A group of young healthy probands (n=30, age mean: 24.2 ± 3.5 years) without any symptoms of disease was exposed to EMF with f=2400 MHz (Wi Fi), and f=2600 MHz (4G) for 5 minutes applied on the chest area. The short-term heart rate variability (HRV) metrics were used as an indicator of complex cardiac autonomic control. The evaluated HRV parameters: RR interval (ms), high frequency spectral power (HF-HRV in [ln(ms2)]) as an index of cardiovagal control, and a symbolic dynamic index of 0V %, indicating cardiac sympathetic activity. The cardiac-linked parasympathetic index HF-HRV was significantly reduced (p =0.036) and sympathetically mediated HRV index 0V % was significantly higher (p=0.002) during EMF exposure at 2400 MHz (Wi-Fi), compared to simulated 4G frequency 2600 MHz. No significant differences were found in the RR intervals. Our results revealed a shift in cardiac autonomic regulation towards sympathetic overactivity and parasympathetic underactivity indexed by HRV parameters during EMF exposure in young healthy persons. It seems that HF EMF exposure results in abnormal complex cardiac autonomic regulatory integrity which may be associated with higher risk of later cardiovascular complications already in healthy probands. Conclusions Our study revealed discrete abnormalities of complex cardiac autonomic regulation indexed by HRV measures dependent on the effects of 4G and Wi-Fi networks. It seems that direct exposure to high radiofrequency EMF may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular complications already in healthy youth. However, the results need to be validated in a future study on a larger number of young probands under the same conditions. Open access paper: biomed.cas.cz

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In young healthy volunteers exposed for 5 minutes on the chest, HF-HRV was significantly reduced (p=0.036) and 0V% was significantly higher (p=0.002) during 2400 MHz (Wi-Fi) exposure compared to simulated 2600 MHz (4G) exposure. No significant differences were found in RR intervals. The authors interpret the HRV changes as a shift toward sympathetic overactivity and parasympathetic underactivity during RF EMF exposure.

Outcomes measured

• Heart rate variability (HRV) metrics
• RR interval
• High frequency spectral power (HF-HRV)
• Symbolic dynamic index 0V% (sympathetic activity index)

Limitations

• Small sample size (n=30)
• Authors note results need validation in a larger study
• Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR/power density) not reported in abstract
• Short exposure duration (5 minutes)

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.55)
  Includes direct exposure at 2400 MHz described as Wi-Fi and assesses physiological effects.

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi / mobile (4G)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "5 minutes applied on the chest area"
    },
    "population": "Young healthy volunteers (mean age 24.2 ± 3.5 years)",
    "sample_size": 30,
    "outcomes": [
        "Heart rate variability (HRV) metrics",
        "RR interval",
        "High frequency spectral power (HF-HRV)",
        "Symbolic dynamic index 0V% (sympathetic activity index)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In young healthy volunteers exposed for 5 minutes on the chest, HF-HRV was significantly reduced (p=0.036) and 0V% was significantly higher (p=0.002) during 2400 MHz (Wi-Fi) exposure compared to simulated 2600 MHz (4G) exposure. No significant differences were found in RR intervals. The authors interpret the HRV changes as a shift toward sympathetic overactivity and parasympathetic underactivity during RF EMF exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size (n=30)",
        "Authors note results need validation in a larger study",
        "Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR/power density) not reported in abstract",
        "Short exposure duration (5 minutes)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency",
        "high frequency electromagnetic field",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "4G",
        "2400 MHz",
        "2600 MHz",
        "heart rate variability",
        "autonomic nervous system",
        "sympathetic activity",
        "parasympathetic activity",
        "cardiovascular risk"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Includes direct exposure at 2400 MHz described as Wi-Fi and assesses physiological effects."
        }
    ]
}

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