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02/02/2025
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Apart from being a major distraction and time waster, reel watching also causes high blood pressure.
A new study shows that it even causes health issues in young people.
A recent study involving over 4,300 young and middle-aged Chinese adults has found a significant correlation between late-night consumption of short-form videos β such as those on Instagram Reels and TikTok β and elevated blood pressure levels.
The research indicates that extended screen time before bedtime can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rates and higher blood pressure, thereby raising the risk of hypertension.
Cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy emphasizes that addiction to short video content not only serves as a major distraction but also contributes to heightened blood pressure. He advises uninstalling such applications and adopting better sleep hygiene practices to mitigate these health risks.
The study highlights that the passive nature of late-night short video viewing often results in minimal physical activity, which can exacerbate health issues like hypertension. Unlike other forms of screen time that may involve some movement, watching short videos typically involves prolonged periods of inactivity.
The researchers recommend that individuals, especially the youth, limit screen time before bed to reduce the prevalence of hypertension and promote overall health. They also suggest adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and effective stress management to further lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Learn more: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-21360-z