Scrolling endlessly through your phone might seem harmless, but emerging evidence suggests it could be quietly straining your heart. Cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj recently sounded the alarm on Instagram, highlighting how prolonged screen time is increasingly linked to serious heart health risks.
Dr. Bhojraj, founder of the wellness initiative Well12, wrote, “What if your phone wasn’t just draining your time but quietly damaging your heart?” He pointed to findings that spending more than five hours a day on screens can almost double the risk of cardiovascular disease. Constant notifications, disrupted sleep cycles, and long hours of sitting all add up, creating what he calls a “perfect storm for heart disease.”
According to him, the consequences include higher blood pressure, greater inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and even reduced flexibility of arteries over time.
Research backs the warning
Dr. Bhojraj’s caution echoes findings from a study published in the Anatolian Journal of Cardiology ( Ekici et al., 2016). The research examined 148 healthy participants and found that longer daily mobile phone use was linked to harmful changes in heart rate variability (HRV), an important marker of autonomic balance and cardiovascular risk.
The study reported that individuals using phones for more than an hour daily had lower HRV and higher LF/HF ratios — indicators of heightened stress on the heart’s regulatory system. “Long-term mobile phone use may reduce parasympathetic activity and increase sympathetic activity, tipping the balance toward cardiovascular strain,” the authors concluded.
The ripple effect on daily life
While the average user might shrug off hours on Instagram or Netflix, cardiologists stress that these habits affect more than just posture or eyesight. They interfere with circadian rhythms, increase cortisol levels through constant alerts, and encourage a sedentary lifestyle. Together, these factors can accelerate risks for hypertension and heart disease.
Dr. Bhojraj summed it up with a reminder: “Your habits may feel small, but the ripple effect on your heart is massive. Your heart deserves better than endless scrolling.”
Experts recommend regular breaks from screens, digital detox hours before bed, and intentional movement throughout the day. As Dr. Bhojraj put it, “Perfect your heart. Log off.”
Dr. Bhojraj, founder of the wellness initiative Well12, wrote, “What if your phone wasn’t just draining your time but quietly damaging your heart?” He pointed to findings that spending more than five hours a day on screens can almost double the risk of cardiovascular disease. Constant notifications, disrupted sleep cycles, and long hours of sitting all add up, creating what he calls a “perfect storm for heart disease.”
According to him, the consequences include higher blood pressure, greater inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and even reduced flexibility of arteries over time.
Research backs the warning
Dr. Bhojraj’s caution echoes findings from a study published in the Anatolian Journal of Cardiology ( Ekici et al., 2016). The research examined 148 healthy participants and found that longer daily mobile phone use was linked to harmful changes in heart rate variability (HRV), an important marker of autonomic balance and cardiovascular risk.
The study reported that individuals using phones for more than an hour daily had lower HRV and higher LF/HF ratios — indicators of heightened stress on the heart’s regulatory system. “Long-term mobile phone use may reduce parasympathetic activity and increase sympathetic activity, tipping the balance toward cardiovascular strain,” the authors concluded.
The ripple effect on daily life
While the average user might shrug off hours on Instagram or Netflix, cardiologists stress that these habits affect more than just posture or eyesight. They interfere with circadian rhythms, increase cortisol levels through constant alerts, and encourage a sedentary lifestyle. Together, these factors can accelerate risks for hypertension and heart disease.
Dr. Bhojraj summed it up with a reminder: “Your habits may feel small, but the ripple effect on your heart is massive. Your heart deserves better than endless scrolling.”
Experts recommend regular breaks from screens, digital detox hours before bed, and intentional movement throughout the day. As Dr. Bhojraj put it, “Perfect your heart. Log off.”
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