Have your say – cardiovascular health
You can also get involved in forming EU laws. The European Commission offers a platform “Have your say” with the list of all new EU initiatives open for public consultation. You need to register to write your feedback: ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say
EU cardiovascular health plan
About this initiative: The plan aims to strengthen the EU’s economic resilience by:
- boosting the market capabilities and competitiveness of the EU health industry;
- improving the health of millions of citizens through prevention, early detection and treatment;
- increasing innovation.
Feedback period: for stage 2 it is 11 August 2025 – 17 September 2025
Feedback from Europeans for Safe Connections
We “Europeans for Safe Connections” (ESC) welcome this initiative. The EU cardiovascular health plan aims to improve public health at individual and societal levels, contributing to a reduction in the number of people falling ill with cardiovascular diseases and preventing premature deaths. This objective is pursued by addressing known risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and other related comorbidities. However, ESC suggest that, within a broader context of biological mechanisms, it is crucial to integrate exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), particularly radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), as an additional significant risk factor for cardiovascular health.
Here is how to highlight the necessity of adding EMF exposure to the risk factors in the EU cardiovascular health plan:
1. Recognize EMFs as Emerging Environmental Risk Factors
Modern technologies have led to a significant increase in artificial EMF sources, resulting in permanent exposure of people and the environment to “electromagnetic pollution”. Although current safety standards primarily focus on thermal effects, there is growing evidence of harmful non-thermal effects at exposure levels well below current limits. This ubiquity and the often involuntary nature of exposure make EMFs a public health concern that needs to be included in the assessment of cardiovascular disease risks.
2. Scientific Evidence of the Link Between EMFs and Cardiovascular Health
The sources indicate several mechanisms and studies linking EMFs to cardiovascular problems:
- Oxidative Stress: Numerous studies have identified an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress as a key mechanism through which EMFs, particularly RF-EMF, influence cellular physiology. Oxidative stress is a well-known factor contributing to cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have even suggested that EMF exposure during spermatogenesis induces an increase in ROS production.
- Dysfunction of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels (VGCC): It has been proposed that EMFs, including RF-EMF, can cause dysfunction of voltage-gated ion channels, altering the electrochemical balance of cells. Excessive intracellular calcium influx, induced by EMFs, can trigger ROS production. This mechanism has been linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and could also have implications for the cardiovascular system.
- Direct Effects on the Heart and Circulatory System:
- Studies have shown that exposure to RF-EMF can influence heart rate variability (HRV), an important indicator of cardiovascular health and autonomic balance.
- A reduction in the β-adrenergic response of ventricular myocytes and an increase in nitric oxide levels in the heart have been observed after EMF exposure.
- Some research has found myocardial damage induced by microwave radiation, including thermal and non-thermal effects.
- Earlier studies reported changes in frog heart rhythm, a reduction in blood pressure in exposed animals, and an increase in red blood cell count.
- An analysis of UK Biobank participants suggested a significantly higher risk of new-onset hypertension in mobile phone users with longer weekly call times.
- There are also concerns regarding electromagnetic interference with implantable cardiac devices (CIEDs), such as pacemakers and defibrillators, by electronic devices, including smartphones with magnetic charging capabilities.
- Impact on Stress and Systemic Inflammation: EMF exposure can induce chronic stress and various psychiatric disorders by affecting HRV indices. Inflammation and oxidative stress have been observed in patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), conditions that can be related to cardiovascular problems.
3. Integration into the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan
To highlight the need to include EMF exposure as a risk factor in the EU plan, the following points could be considered:
- Review and Expansion of Risk Factors: The plan should explicitly include EMF exposure among the “risk factors” for cardiovascular diseases, on par with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other comorbidities. It should be recognized that RF-EMF exposure is an emerging source of environmental stress that affects biological systems.
- Promote Independent and Multidisciplinary Research: The plan should allocate significant funding to independent research on the long-term effects of RF-EMF on cardiovascular health, with particular attention to non-thermal mechanisms and the effects of cumulative exposure. It is crucial to overcome the inconsistency of results through more standardized and rigorous studies.
- Early Detection and Screening Criteria: Cardiovascular disease screening programs should consider integrating biological and diagnostic markers that can indicate significant EMF exposure and potential health effects, such as oxidative stress.
- Public Information and Awareness Campaigns: It is essential to communicate the potential risks of EMF exposure to the public for cardiovascular health and provide practical guidance on how to reduce it. This includes advising on the prudent use of wireless devices and preferring wired connections, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
- Application of the Precautionary Principle: In light of the scientific evidence on potential adverse effects, the plan should adopt and promote the application of the precautionary principle. This implies taking preventive actions even in the absence of conclusive proof of causality.
- Consideration of Vulnerable Populations: The plan should recognize that some populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions, may be more sensitive to the effects of EMFs, and policies should reflect this increased vulnerability.
- Transparency and Independence in Risk Assessment: Finally, the plan should emphasize the need for health risk assessments conducted by independent experts, free from conflicts of interest, to ensure the credibility of recommendations.
In conclusion, the integration of EMFs as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in the EU plan is justified by the growing body of evidence on non-thermal biological effects, the omnipresence of exposure, and the need for a more robust preventive approach to protect public health.
Best regards
Europeans for Safe Connections
This feedback was sent from a wired internet connection
– No use of harmful radiation
– Less electricity consumption
– Increased data security
The link to our feedback: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14755-EU-cardiovascular-health-plan/F32844402_en
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