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Alteration of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate to workers exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

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Szmigielski, S, Bortkiewicz, A, Gadzicka, E, Zmyslony, M, Kubacki, R, · 1998

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RF-EMF exposure disrupted workers' natural daily heart and blood pressure rhythms, with stronger effects at higher exposure levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied 61 workers exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic fields and found their natural daily blood pressure and heart rate patterns were disrupted - the normal peaks and valleys were flattened and shifted earlier, suggesting EMF exposure interferes with the body's cardiovascular rhythms.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency EMF exposure can disrupt fundamental biological rhythms that regulate cardiovascular health. The science demonstrates that workers exposed to RF fields between 20-550 V/m experienced measurable alterations in their natural daily blood pressure and heart rate patterns. What makes this research particularly significant is that it shows dose-dependent effects - workers exposed to higher field strengths (200-550 V/m) experienced more pronounced disruptions than those exposed to lower levels (20-180 V/m). While these exposure levels are higher than typical consumer device emissions, they're not drastically different from what you might encounter near cell towers or Wi-Fi routers at close range. The reality is that our cardiovascular systems rely on precise circadian timing, and any interference with these natural rhythms could have long-term health implications that deserve serious attention.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
20-180 V/m
Source/Device
0.738-1.503 Mhz

Exposure Context

This study used 20-180 V/m for electric fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.5 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.5 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study was to determine the course of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate in a group of workers exposed to various intensities of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

In the study we used 61 healthy workers (aged 30-50 years) who had been exposed to radiofrequency EM...

Healthy men aged 28-49 years, working on a pattern of 12-24-12-48 h, exhibited typical, well-preserv...

Occupational exposure to radiofrequency EMF can result in changes of the diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate with lowering of their amplitudes and a shift of the acrophase. The clinical relevance of the present finding needs to be investigated in further studies.

Cite This Study
Szmigielski, S, Bortkiewicz, A, Gadzicka, E, Zmyslony, M, Kubacki, R, (1998). Alteration of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate to workers exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Blood Press Monit 3(6):323-330, 1998.
Show BibTeX
@article{szmigielski_1998_alteration_of_diurnal_rhythms_1357,
  author = {Szmigielski and S and Bortkiewicz and A and Gadzicka and E and Zmyslony and M and Kubacki and R and},
  title = {Alteration of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate to workers exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.},
  year = {1998},
  
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/10212373},
}
PubMed: 10212373

Cited By (73 papers)

View all 73 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, radio frequency radiation can disrupt normal blood pressure patterns. A 1998 study of 61 workers found that RF exposure flattened their natural daily blood pressure rhythms and shifted peak times earlier in the day, with stronger effects at higher exposure levels.
Research shows EMF exposure can alter natural heart rate patterns. Workers exposed to radiofrequency fields experienced flattened daily heart rate rhythms with reduced peaks and valleys, plus earlier timing of maximum heart rates compared to unexposed workers.
Radiofrequency radiation may disrupt your heart's natural daily rhythms. A workplace study found exposed workers had altered blood pressure and heart rate patterns, with normal daily peaks flattened and shifted to earlier times throughout the day.
RF exposure may disrupt your body's natural cardiovascular rhythms. Research on exposed workers showed flattened daily blood pressure and heart rate patterns, with normal peaks occurring earlier and at reduced intensity compared to healthy unexposed individuals.
Electromagnetic radiation can disrupt your body's natural daily rhythms, including cardiovascular patterns. A study found RF-exposed workers had altered blood pressure and heart rate cycles, with flattened daily variations and earlier peak times.