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[Evaluation of selected functional circulation parameters of workers from various occupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields of high frequency. III. 24-h monitoring of arterial blood pressure].

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Gadzicka E, Bortkiewicz A, Zmyslony M, Palczynski C · 1997

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Chronic radio frequency exposure disrupted heart rate regulation in workers, suggesting EMF affects cardiovascular nervous system control.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Polish researchers monitored blood pressure and heart rate in 153 male workers exposed to radio frequency EMF at broadcast and radio service stations over periods ranging from 1 to 42 years. While overall blood pressure remained normal, workers showed significantly reduced heart rate variability, suggesting disrupted nervous system regulation of the heart. Radio service workers also had higher rates of elevated blood pressure compared to unexposed controls.

Why This Matters

This occupational study provides important evidence that chronic RF exposure affects cardiovascular regulation, even when workers don't show obvious blood pressure problems. The finding of reduced heart rate variability is particularly significant because this measurement reflects how well your autonomic nervous system controls your heart - and reduced variability is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. The exposure levels in this study would have been substantially higher than typical consumer devices, but the duration of exposure (up to 42 years) demonstrates what can happen with long-term RF exposure. What makes this research especially credible is that it was designed to verify earlier Soviet studies using modern monitoring equipment, and it found similar cardiovascular effects that those earlier researchers reported decades ago.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1 Mhz, 150 Mhz Duration: 0.5 h during daily activities and every 1 h during the night rest (about 41 measurements/day).

Study Details

Our study was aimed at verifying the Soviet data by means of modern methods.

Together with traditional methods, a 24-h monitoring of arterial blood pressure (ABP) using a Medilo...

The study revealed that the mean arterial blood pressure and the day/night blood pressure variabilit...

Cite This Study
Gadzicka E, Bortkiewicz A, Zmyslony M, Palczynski C (1997). [Evaluation of selected functional circulation parameters of workers from various occupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields of high frequency. III. 24-h monitoring of arterial blood pressure]. Med Pr 48(1):15-24, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{e_1997_evaluation_of_selected_functional_2094,
  author = {Gadzicka E and Bortkiewicz A and Zmyslony M and Palczynski C},
  title = {[Evaluation of selected functional circulation parameters of workers from various occupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields of high frequency. III. 24-h monitoring of arterial blood pressure].},
  year = {1997},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9198713/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Polish researchers monitored blood pressure and heart rate in 153 male workers exposed to radio frequency EMF at broadcast and radio service stations over periods ranging from 1 to 42 years. While overall blood pressure remained normal, workers showed significantly reduced heart rate variability, suggesting disrupted nervous system regulation of the heart. Radio service workers also had higher rates of elevated blood pressure compared to unexposed controls.