(ANSA) – ROME, 04 SEPTEMBER – Regular use of cell phones, just ‘acquitted’ of having a role in the development of brain tumors, seems to be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. This link, which emerged in particular in smokers and individuals with diabetes, is however attributable in part to some conditions more frequent in those who always have their cell phone in their hand: poor sleep and psychological distress. This is highlighted by a large study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
The study included 444,027 individuals from the UK Biobank who self-reported their mobile phone use. They were followed for an average of more than 12 years using hospital records. The results show a “significant association” between regular smartphone use and diseases such as stroke, ischemia and heart failure, especially in diabetics and smokers. The mechanisms of the association could be through some conditions more frequent in these people, such as poor sleep-wake rhythm and mental distress, which can lead to hormonal or metabolic disorders.
“More studies are needed before this association becomes a concern,” but in the meantime the results suggest that “instead of immersing oneself in hours of mindless smartphone doom-scrolling, one should redirect this time toward a more heart-healthy activity,” concludes co-author Nicholas Grubic, a researcher at the University of Toronto, Canada. (ANSA).
2024-09-05 01:13:39