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August 25, 2024 – Spending too much time in front of screens during your 20s could significantly increase your risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues later in life, according to a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The research, which tracked the health of over 4,000 young adults for more than three decades, highlights the long-term dangers of excessive screen time during youth.
The study, part of the longstanding Coronary Artery Risk and Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) project, found that every additional hour spent watching television at the age of 23 was associated with a 26% higher risk of developing heart disease over the study’s duration. Moreover, it was linked with a 16% increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
“Our findings suggest that the amount of time young adults spend watching screens can significantly influence their risk of developing serious heart conditions later in life,” said Dr. Jason Nagata, the study’s lead author and an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine.
Dr. Nagata emphasized that screen time often displaces essential activities such as sleep and physical exercise, which are crucial for maintaining heart health. “This underscores the importance of promoting healthy screen habits early in life to prevent future heart disease and stroke,” he added.
The study’s alarming findings are not limited to early adulthood. The research also revealed that each additional hour of daily TV time during midlife further increased the odds of coronary heart disease by 55%, stroke by 58%, and overall heart disease by 32%.
“This suggests that screen time in young adulthood sets the course for future screen habits through the rest of adulthood,” Dr. Nagata noted in a UCSF news release.
The CARDIA study, which has been closely monitoring the heart disease risk factors in thousands of adults for decades, provides critical insights into how lifestyle choices in early life can have long-lasting effects on cardiovascular health.
Given the pervasive presence of screens in modern life, these findings serve as a stark reminder of the importance of balancing screen time with physical activity and other heart-healthy behaviors. As digital devices become more integrated into daily routines, especially among younger populations, the need for public health initiatives promoting balanced screen use is more urgent than ever.
For more information, see the study: Nagata, J.M., et al. “Television Viewing from Young Adulthood to Middle Age and Premature Cardiovascular Disease Events: A Prospective Cohort Study.” Journal of General Internal Medicine (2024). doi.org/10.1007/s11606-024-08951-z
