Excess Screen Time Independently Linked to Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Young Adults

Spending more than 6 hours per day on screens outside of work or school is associated with significantly worse cardiometabolic risk markers, including higher blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI), according to new research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

In the observational study of 382 adults with a mean age of approximately 35 years, investigators found that high screen exposure was independently associated with adverse cardiovascular risk profiles even after adjusting for physical activity, age, sex, and baseline clinical characteristics. Compared with individuals reporting less than 6 hours of daily screen use, those exceeding this threshold had, on average, approximately 18 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure, more than 28 mg/dL higher LDL cholesterol, and more than 3.9 mg/dL lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Participants with higher screen time also had significantly greater BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio.

“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, MD, 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.”

Screen Time and Physical Activity: Independent and Synergistic Effects

Participants were categorized by screen time (greater or less than 6 hours daily) and physical activity (greater or less than 150 minutes per week). Although high screen time remained independently associated with worse cardiometabolic markers, researchers also identified a synergistic interaction between screen exposure and physical inactivity.

Individuals with both high screen time and low physical activity experienced greater adverse effects on blood pressure and BMI than either factor alone. “In other words, these behaviors don’t just add risk independently—they seem to amplify each other when they occur together,” Islam said.

In addition to cardiometabolic findings, higher screen use was associated with increased nicotine exposure. More than one-quarter of participants with high screen time reported cigarette smoking or vaping compared with 12% among those with lower screen exposure.

Implications for Primary Care Risk Assessment

The findings suggest that screen time may serve as a measurable and modifiable behavioral risk factor that complements traditional lifestyle assessments in primary care. Investigators emphasized that screen exposure represents a distinct construct from general sedentary behavior, offering clinicians a more granular target for counseling.

“What makes this study different is that we looked at screen time as a specific, measurable digital behavior rather than just broadly labeling people as sedentary,” Islam said. “While sedentary lifestyle has been studied before, fewer studies have separated screen exposure from general physical inactivity or examined how these two factors interact with each other.”

The study population was drawn from urban centers in Pakistan, including Hyderabad and Karachi, regions experiencing rapid increases in digital technology adoption alongside a high burden of premature cardiovascular disease. Investigators noted that these contextual factors underscore the importance of evaluating digital behaviors within specific populations.

Limitations and Future Directions

As an observational analysis, the study does not establish causality. Screen time was self-reported and may not distinguish between occupational and recreational use. Additional confounders, including diet, sleep, and stress, were not fully accounted for.

Researchers called for larger, multicenter studies incorporating objective digital tracking tools and longitudinal follow-up to assess hard cardiovascular outcomes. Interventional trials evaluating whether reducing screen time improves cardiometabolic markers are also needed.

References:

1. Islam Z, et al. Poster 1374-034. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; March 28-30, 2026; New Orleans (hybrid meeting).
2. American College of Cardiology. Excessive screen time signals health risk for young adults.https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/03/23/20/26/Excessive-Screen-Time-Signals-Health-Risk-for-Young-Adults Published March 24, 2026. Accessed March 25, 2026.