Cellular phone use does not acutely affect blood pressure or heart rate of humans

A recent study raised concern about increase of resting blood pressure after a 35 min exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) field emitted by a 900 MHz cellular phone. In this randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial, 32 healthy subjects were submitted to 900 MHz (2 W), 1800 MHz (1 W) cellular phone exposure, and to sham exposure in separate sessions. Arterial blood pressure (arm cuff method) and heart rate were measured during and after the 35 min RF and sham exposure sessions. We evaluated cardiovascular responses in terms of blood pressure and heart rate during controlled breathing, spontaneous breathing, head-up tilt table test, Valsalva manoeuvre and deep breathing test. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate did not change significantly during or after the 35 min RF exposures at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz, compared to sham exposure. The results of this study indicate that exposure to a cellular phone, using 900 MHz or 1800 MHz with maximal allowed antenna powers, does not acutely change arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Bioelectromagnetics 25:73–83, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.