Keeping a mobile phone in a shirt or chest pocket is a common habit, especially when people want quick access to their device. But can carrying a phone close to the chest affect your heartbeat or heart health?
Mobile phones emit radiofrequency electromagnetic energy when they communicate with cellular networks, Wi-Fi and other devices. This has led to questions about whether prolonged exposure near the chest could influence the heart.
Can a Mobile Phone Change Your Heartbeat?
For most people, there is currently no strong evidence that normal mobile phone use causes persistent changes in heart rate or leads to heart disease.
However, research into radiofrequency exposure and its possible biological effects is ongoing. Some experimental studies have reported temporary changes in physiological measurements, but these findings do not establish that carrying a phone in a pocket causes harmful heart problems in everyday life.
A person’s heartbeat can also change because of stress, caffeine, exercise, lack of sleep, dehydration and other factors.
What About People With Pacemakers?
People who have pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) or other implanted cardiac devices may need to take additional precautions.
Mobile phones and smart devices contain magnets and electronic components that can potentially interfere with some implanted medical devices if held extremely close to them.
For this reason, people with implanted cardiac devices are generally advised to keep mobile phones away from the area over the device and follow the specific guidance provided by their cardiologist or device manufacturer.
Is Keeping the Phone in a Shirt Pocket Dangerous?
For someone without an implanted medical device, there is no established evidence that simply keeping a mobile phone in a shirt pocket causes a dangerous change in heartbeat.
Still, keeping the device slightly farther away from the body is an easy precaution if someone is concerned about exposure. Using a bag, trouser pocket or hands-free option can reduce close contact.
The phone may also transmit at different power levels depending on network strength. In areas with weak reception, a device may work harder to maintain a connection.
Pay Attention to Heart Symptoms
If someone experiences repeated palpitations, a racing or irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort, dizziness, fainting or unexplained breathlessness, the symptoms should not automatically be blamed on mobile phone use.
Such symptoms can have many possible causes and may require medical evaluation.
Anyone experiencing severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting or other signs of a possible cardiac emergency should seek urgent medical attention.
Simple Ways to Reduce Phone Exposure
People who prefer to minimise close exposure can take a few simple steps:
- Use speaker mode or earphones for longer calls.
- Avoid keeping the phone directly against the chest for extended periods.
- Keep the phone away from the body when it is not being used.
- Avoid prolonged calls when the phone has very poor network reception.
- Follow medical-device safety instructions if you have a pacemaker or ICD.
The Bottom Line
Keeping a mobile phone in a shirt pocket has not been proven to cause harmful changes in heartbeat in the general population. However, people with implanted cardiac devices should follow specific safety recommendations regarding where they carry and use their phones.
More importantly, unusual heart symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional rather than being attributed to mobile phone exposure alone.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.