Although it is a rare occurrence, it can still happen: smartphones can disrupt the function of cardiac devices and thus pose a danger to its wearers. This is the result of a German study that was presented at the meeting of the European Society of Cardiology (EHRA EUROPACE – CARDIOSTIM) in Milan (Italy). Physicians therefore recommend keeping smartphones 15 to 20 centimetres away from the heart.
Researchers from the German Heart Centre in Munich repeated previous studies assessing the impact of smartphones on cardiac devices, as the technology of the devices as well as mobile network standards has changed during the past years. Of the 308 people who participated in the study, 147 had a pacemaker and 161 had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The smartphones used in the trials (Samsung Galaxy 3, Nokia Lumia, HTC One XL) were placed on the skin directly above the device.
While the smartphones lay on the skin, they were put through the complete calling process – from dialling a number to hanging up; then the ECG data was checked for interferences of the heart rate. One of the 308 patients (0.3 per cent) was affected by an electromagnetic interference (EMI) – the patient’s ICD misdetected the electromagnetic waves from the smartphone as intracardiac signals.
“Interference between smartphones and cardiac devices is uncommon but can occur so the current recommendations on keeping a safe distance should be upheld”, emphasised lead author Carsten Lennerz. Wearers of cardiac devices were recommended not to place the smartphone in the breast pocket and to hold it opposite to the side of the device implant, said the physicians.
- APA Jun 25, 2015
- EHRA Europace – Cardiostim 2015