Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study.
Huang D, Dong ZF, Chen Y, Wang FB, Wei Z, Zhao WB, Li S, Liu MY, Zhu W, Wei M, Li JB. · 2015
View Original AbstractCell phones interfered with pacemaker programming in half of patients tested, requiring distance during medical procedures.
Plain English Summary
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.
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/},
}