Is Your Smartphone Spiking Your Blood Pressure? New Study Links Screen Time to “Silent” Cardiac Risk

Published: December 4, 2025

New research reveals that excessive smartphone use—particularly late at night—may be physically altering how your heart handles stress, leading to dangerous blood pressure spikes during exercise.

In an era where the average adult spends hours glued to a screen, a groundbreaking observational study published in the journal Blood Pressure has uncovered a startling connection between daily phone habits and a condition known as Exaggerated Hypertensive Response to Exercise (EHRE). The findings suggest that your digital habits could be silently undermining your cardiovascular health, even if your resting blood pressure appears normal during a standard check-up.

The Hidden Danger: What is EHRE?

For many, a treadmill stress test is a standard measure of heart health. During this test, blood pressure naturally rises to meet the body’s demand for oxygen. However, for some individuals, this rise is excessive—a condition clinicians call Exaggerated Hypertensive Response to Exercise (EHRE).

“EHRE is often a canary in the coal mine,” explains Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a preventative cardiologist not involved in the study. “A patient might have perfect blood pressure while sitting in my office, but once they start moving, their numbers skyrocket. This exaggerated response is a strong predictor of future hypertension, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.”

Until now, risk factors for EHRE were thought to be largely biological, such as age or family history. This new research points to a modifiable behavioral culprit: the smartphone in your pocket.

The Study: Screen Time and the Heart

Conducted by researchers Muhammet Geneş and Cem Barçin, the study compared 85 participants undergoing standardized treadmill exercise testing. The cohort was divided into two groups: those who exhibited an exaggerated blood pressure response (EHRE group) and those with a normal response (control group).

The researchers tracked the participants’ smartphone usage and physical activity levels using native applications on their devices, ensuring objective data collection rather than relying solely on self-reporting.

Key Findings:

• Heavy Usage: Participants with EHRE spent significantly more time on their phones—an average of 6.1 hours per day, compared to 4.7 hours in the control group.

• The “Dim-Light” Factor: The difference was most stark regarding nighttime usage. The EHRE group spent more than double the time using screens in dim light (e.g., scrolling in bed): 14.5 hours per week versus 7.0 hours in the control group.

• Sedentary Trap: The high-risk group took significantly fewer steps, averaging just 4,120 steps per day, while the healthy control group averaged 6,830.

Statistical analysis revealed that daily screen time and “dim-light” screen time were independent predictors of this abnormal blood pressure response, meaning the risk remained even when accounting for other factors like BMI.

Why Your Phone Affects Your Blood Pressure

While the study was observational, experts believe the link involves the autonomic nervous system—the body’s control center for involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure.

“Chronic engagement with screens, especially ‘doomscrolling’ or responding to notifications, keeps the body in a state of low-grade ‘fight or flight’ arousal,” notes Dr. Jenkins. “When you combine that with the blue light exposure at night, which disrupts circadian rhythms and sleep quality, you create a perfect storm for vascular dysfunction.”

Previous research supports this theory. Dr. Shriram Nene, a cardiothoracic surgeon, has previously described a phenomenon dubbed “notification tachycardia,” where constant digital alerts trigger stress responses. This new study suggests that this chronic digital stress doesn’t just raise your heart rate in the moment—it may fundamentally alter your blood vessels’ ability to dilate and handle physical physical exertion.

Implications for Public Health

The study highlights a critical blind spot in modern preventative medicine. Traditional cardiovascular assessments often overlook lifestyle factors like “digital hygiene.”

“We need to stop viewing screen time merely as a mental health issue or a vision issue,” says Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a public health researcher specializing in behavioral medicine. “It is a cardiovascular risk factor. If you are walking less than 5,000 steps a day and spending six hours on your phone, you are physically conditioning your body to react poorly to stress.”

The data on “dim-light” usage is particularly concerning. It suggests that the timing of screen use may be just as important as the amount. Using phones in bed not only promotes sedentary behavior but likely interferes with the restorative sleep processes required for vascular health.

Limitations and Context

While the findings are compelling, the study authors note certain limitations. The sample size of 85 participants is relatively small, and as a cross-sectional study, it proves correlation rather than causation. It is possible that people with underlying subclinical health issues are more prone to sedentary screen behaviors, rather than the screens causing the issues directly.

However, the results align with a growing body of evidence, including recent data from the American Heart Association linking screen time in youth to higher cardiometabolic risk scores.

Practical Steps for a Healthier Heart

The good news is that unlike genetic risk factors, digital habits can be changed. Health experts recommend the following “digital detox” strategies to protect your heart:

1. The “Blue Light” Curfew: Stop using smartphones and tablets at least one hour before bed to protect your circadian rhythm.

2. Monitor Your Metrics: Use the “Screen Time” or “Digital Wellbeing” features on your phone to track your daily usage. Aim to keep non-essential scrolling under two hours.

3. Active Breaks: If you have a desk job, stand up and move for five minutes every hour. The study showed that an increase in daily steps was protective against EHRE.

4. Check Your Response: If you are over 40 or have a family history of hypertension, ask your doctor if an exercise stress test is appropriate for you, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle.

“Technology is a tool, not a lifestyle,” Dr. Jenkins concludes. “Putting the phone down and going for a walk isn’t just good for your mind—it might just save your heart.”

Medical Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References

1. Primary Study: Geneş M, Barcin C. Association between smartphone screen time and exaggerated blood pressure response during treadmill exercise testing: a cross-sectional study. Blood Pressure. 2025 Dec 31;34(1):2533452. DOI: 10.1080/08037051.2025.2533452.