Talking over mobile for over 30 minutes linked to developing hypertension

Researchers have found talking on a mobile phone for 30 minutes or longer per week to be linked with a 12 per cent increased risk of developing high blood pressure or hypertension.

Almost three-quarters of the global population aged 10 and over own a mobile phone. Mobile phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy, which has been linked with rises in blood pressure after short-term exposure, the study said.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke and a leading cause of premature death globally.

"It's the number of minutes people spend talking on a mobile that matter for heart health, with more minutes meaning greater risk," said study author Xianhui Qin of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

"Years of use or employing a hands-free set-up had no influence on the likelihood of developing high blood pressure. More studies are needed to confirm the findings," said Qin.

The study is published in the European Heart Journal - Digital Health.

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