How too much screen time can affect your heart health

Health experts say, on average, kids ages 8 to 18 years old spend about seven and a half hours a day on a screen.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- We spend a lot of time glued to our digital devices.

Health experts say, on average, kids ages 8 to 18 years old spend about seven and a half hours a day on a screen, whether it's for fun or education.

"We know that nowadays in school, they have to be on technology," said Dr. Vivian Torio, a Family Medicine Physician and a Board Member of the American Heart Association. "That's how they get their work done."

Excessive screen time can cause problems for the heart, according to a new study published in the American Heart Association Journal.

"There was a study done in Denmark of 1,000 participants of 10-year-olds and 18-year-olds," said Dr. Torio. "It showed that increased screen time can increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance."

The study showed that cardiometabolic risks were higher among youth because they spent more time on a screen than sleeping.

"Our bodies naturally have a sleep rhythm, and if you're disrupting that, it stresses the body out," said Dr. Torio. "So the correlation that is being made is that increased screen time takes away sleep from our youth."

Dr. Torio says the lack of sleep can impact how our kids function in their day-to-day lives.

"Without sleep, their brains can't develop correctly," said Dr. Torio. "They don't get the rest that they need. They're unable to focus correctly the next day at school."

Doctors recommend that kids get at least a full eight or nine hours of a good night's rest. Also, shut off the screen at least an hour before bed.

"Don't bring it to bed, leave it," said Dr. Torio. "That helps turn the brain off."

Dr. Torio says teaching healthy lifestyle habits at a young age is vital because it can help protect a child's heart health in the long run.

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