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Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study.

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Huang D, Dong ZF, Chen Y, Wang FB, Wei Z, Zhao WB, Li S, Liu MY, Zhu W, Wei M, Li JB. · 2015

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Cell phones interfered with pacemaker programming in half of patients tested, requiring distance during medical procedures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested how cell phone signals interfere with pacemakers and similar heart devices during medical programming sessions. They found that GSM mobile phones disrupted communication between the heart devices and their programmers in about half of patients tested (51%), though only a small percentage experienced symptoms like dizziness. The interference stopped when the phone calls ended, suggesting patients can still use phones but should keep them away during device programming.

Why This Matters

This study highlights a critical but often overlooked aspect of EMF exposure: interference with medical devices that millions of people depend on for life-sustaining functions. While the researchers concluded that pacemaker patients shouldn't be restricted from using cell phones, the 51% interference rate during programming sessions is concerning. The reality is that these cardiac rhythm management devices are designed to be highly sensitive to electrical signals, making them vulnerable to the radiofrequency emissions that cell phones produce at close range. What this means for you is that if you or a loved one has a pacemaker or similar device, maintaining distance from active cell phones during medical procedures isn't just precautionary - it's essential for ensuring proper device function.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To investigate interference, and how to avoid it, by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile phone with communication between cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and programmers, a combined in vivo and in vitro testing was conducted

During in vivo testing, GSM mobile phones interfered with CRM-programmer communication in 33 of 65 s...

Results suggested that patients implanted with CRMs should not be restricted from using GSM mobile phones; however, CRMs should be kept away from high-frequency EMFs of GSM mobile phone during programming.

Cite This Study
Huang D, Dong ZF, Chen Y, Wang FB, Wei Z, Zhao WB, Li S, Liu MY, Zhu W, Wei M, Li JB. (2015). Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study. Bioelectromagnetics. 2015 Apr 10. doi: 10.1002/bem.21911.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2015_interference_of_gsm_mobile_2210,
  author = {Huang D and Dong ZF and Chen Y and Wang FB and Wei Z and Zhao WB and Li S and Liu MY and Zhu W and Wei M and Li JB.},
  title = {Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study.},
  year = {2015},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25864643/},
}
PubMed: 25864643

Cited By (10 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, GSM mobile phones interfered with pacemaker and heart device programming in about 51% of patients tested. The interference disrupted communication between the devices and their programmers, though it stopped immediately when phone calls ended. Patients should keep phones away during programming appointments.
No, patients with pacemakers don't need to completely avoid GSM mobile phones. Research shows interference only occurs during device programming sessions, not during normal daily use. However, patients should maintain distance between phones and their heart devices during medical programming appointments.
Only 0.6% of patients (4 out of 65) experienced symptoms like dizziness when GSM phones interfered with their heart devices during programming. Most patients had no noticeable symptoms despite the electronic interference, and all effects stopped when phone calls ended.
High-frequency radiation between 700-950 MHz disrupted cardiac device programming in 90% of devices tested in laboratory conditions. In real patients, GSM phone interference occurred in about 51% of programming sessions, typically causing loss of ventricle sensing without permanent damage.
GSM phone interference with cardiac devices depends on several factors including the materials used in the devices, distance between the phone and implant, and how deep the device is implanted. The interference affects the communication signals between devices and programmers, not the devices themselves.