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Influence of digital and analogue cellular telephones on implanted pacemakers.

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Altamura G, Toscano S, Gentilucci G, Ammirati F, Castro A, Pandozi C, Santini M, · 1997

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Cell phones disrupted life-sustaining pacemakers in over 20% of patients, but only when carried close to the device.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers monitored 200 pacemaker patients to see if cell phones interfered with their heart devices. They found that digital phones disrupted pacemaker function in 21.5% of patients, while analog phones caused problems in 17.5% of patients. The interference was most dangerous when phones were carried close to the pacemaker, but patients could use phones safely by keeping them away from the implanted device.

Why This Matters

This 1997 study provides crucial evidence that cell phone radiation can interfere with life-sustaining medical devices. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates real-world health consequences from EMF exposure, not just biological changes in lab settings. The fact that over one in five patients experienced pacemaker interference shows this isn't a theoretical concern. While modern pacemakers have improved shielding, this study established the fundamental principle that wireless devices can disrupt critical medical equipment. The research also reveals an important pattern: interference was far more likely during phone ringing and at maximum sensitivity settings, suggesting that peak EMF emissions pose the greatest risk. For anyone with implanted medical devices, this study underscores why maintaining distance from wireless transmitters isn't just precautionary advice but a documented safety necessity.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The aim of this study was to find out whether digital and analogue cellular 'phones affect patients with pacemakers.

The study comprised continuous ECG monitoring of 200 pacemaker patients. During the monitoring certa...

The Global System for Mobile Communications system interfered with pacing 97 times in 43 patients (2...

Cellular 'phones may be dangerous for pacemaker patients. However, they can be used safely if patients do not carry the 'phone close to the pacemaker, which is the only place where high risk interference has been observed.

Cite This Study
Altamura G, Toscano S, Gentilucci G, Ammirati F, Castro A, Pandozi C, Santini M, (1997). Influence of digital and analogue cellular telephones on implanted pacemakers. Eur Heart J 18(10):1632-4161, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_1997_influence_of_digital_and_1829,
  author = {Altamura G and Toscano S and Gentilucci G and Ammirati F and Castro A and Pandozi C and Santini M and},
  title = {Influence of digital and analogue cellular telephones on implanted pacemakers.},
  year = {1997},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9347275/},
}
PubMed: 9347275

Cited By (77 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, digital phones cause more pacemaker interference than analog phones. A 1997 study found digital GSM phones disrupted pacemaker function in 21.5% of patients, while analog phones caused problems in only 17.5% of patients. Digital systems also caused more prolonged dangerous interruptions.
Pacemaker patients can use phones safely by keeping them away from the implanted device. The 1997 Altamura study found high-risk interference only occurred when phones were carried close to the pacemaker. Maintaining distance eliminates the dangerous electromagnetic interference.
Cell phones cause the most pacemaker interference during ringing, not during calls. Researchers found 131 interference episodes during phone ringing versus only 26 during the on/off phase. The electromagnetic pulses during incoming calls pose the highest risk to pacemaker function.
Higher pacemaker sensitivity settings increase phone interference risks. The study found 106 interference cases at maximum sensitivity versus 51 at base sensitivity levels. Patients with highly sensitive pacemaker programming face greater risks from electromagnetic interference from cellular phones.
Approximately 20% of pacemaker patients experience phone interference. The 1997 study monitoring 200 patients found digital phones disrupted devices in 21.5% of cases, while analog phones affected 17.5%. However, interference only occurs when phones are positioned close to the pacemaker.