Study Reveals Screen Time Beyond Six Hours Tied to Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Spending too much time on screens may harm heart health, even in young adults, according to new research presented at a major cardiology conference. The study found that people who spent six or more hours daily on screens outside of work or school had worse blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight compared to those with lower screen time.

Researchers analyzed data from 382 adults, with an average age of 35, living in urban areas. Participants who reported higher screen use showed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, increased “bad” LDL cholesterol, lower “good” HDL cholesterol, and higher body mass index (BMI). They also had larger waist measurements, indicating greater abdominal fat—an important risk factor for heart disease.

Importantly, these effects were seen even after accounting for physical activity. This means that regular exercise alone may not fully offset the negative impact of prolonged screen exposure. In fact, the study found that high screen time combined with low physical activity had an even stronger harmful effect, suggesting the two behaviors can amplify each other.

Higher screen use was also linked to unhealthy habits such as smoking and vaping, further increasing cardiovascular risk. Researchers believe that long hours spent watching videos, gaming, or scrolling social media may contribute to poor lifestyle patterns, including less movement, irregular sleep, and unhealthy eating.

The findings highlight the need to look beyond traditional advice that focuses only on exercise. Reducing screen time and building healthier digital habits may be equally important for protecting heart health.

Although the study does not prove cause and effect, it suggests that limiting recreational screen time could be a simple and practical step toward lowering long-term cardiovascular risk.

REFERENCE: Excessive Screen Time Signals Health Risk for Young Adults; American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26); https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/03/23/20/26/Excessive-Screen-Time-Signals-Health-Risk-for-Young-Adults