New York: People who reported spending six or more hours on screens outside of school or work had worse blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) compared with those with more limited screen time, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).
Screen time was independently associated with these markers of cardiovascular risk even after accounting for differences in daily physical activity.
The findings point to excessive time spent playing video games, watching videos and scrolling social media as an emerging risk factor among young people, researchers said, suggesting that clinicians could assess screen use as an early indicator that patients may be on a trajectory to develop heart disease.
“Traditionally, lifestyle counseling focuses mainly on encouraging exercise, but our findings suggest that reducing excessive screen exposure could be an additional and independent target for intervention,” said Zain Islam, a cardiologist at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences and Taqi Medical Center in Hyderabad, Pakistan, and the study’s lead author.
“This may lead to more nuanced counseling—not only promoting physical activity but also addressing digital behavior patterns, digital wellness and structured limits on prolonged screen use,” Islam added.
Researchers analyzed heart health markers and daily habits of 382 adults who were about 35 years old, on average, living in Hyderabad and Karachi, two cities in Pakistan.
Based on the findings, Islam said that clinicians should incorporate screen time alongside traditional lifestyle factors to assess patients’ cardiovascular risk and develop tailored interventions that promote both physical activity and healthier screen habits.
