Mobile phones used to be banned from hospitals – but some patients do need to treat them with care, if they have heart devices, researchers have warned.
The German doctors suggest these heart patients hold the phone to the opposite ear from their heart device.
They should also avoid carrying them in pockets close to the devices.
The warning came at a joint meeting of the European Heart Rhythm Association and the European Society of Cardiology in Milan, Italy.
German researchers tested the interaction of new smartphones, cardiac devices and signals networks.
Some 308 patients took part in 3,400 tests – and these showed one instance where a patient’s device, which was MRI compatible, wrongly interpreted smartphone signals.
Researcher Dr Carsten Lennerz, of the German Heart Centre, Munich, Germany, said: “Interference between smartphones and cardiac devices is uncommon but can occur so the current recommendations on keeping a safe distance should be upheld."
Fellow researcher Professor Christof Kolb said: “Nearly everyone uses smartphones and there is the possibility of interference with a cardiac device if you come too close.
"Patients with a cardiac device can use a smartphone but they should not place it directly over the cardiac device. That means not storing it in a pocket above the cardiac device. They should also hold their smartphone to the ear opposite to the side of the device implant.”
* The conference also heard a Canadian study revealing the risks from power lines. Researchers said patients could cross under power lines – but should not stay stationary under them.
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