Time spent on the internet could determine a teen's risk for high blood pressure, according to a recent study.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that teens who spend hours on the internet may be at risk for high blood pressure, Island Crisis News reported. They study showed that teens who spent at least 14 hours a week on the Internet had elevated blood pressure. Of 134 teens described by researchers as heavy Internet users, 26 had elevated blood pressure.
"Using the Internet is part of our daily life but it shouldn't consume us," Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow, lead author of the study, said in a statement. "It's important that young people take regular breaks from their computer or smartphone, and engage in some form of physical activity."
For the study, researchers analyzed data compiled from more than 300 teens between the ages of 14 and 17, The Egypt Independent reported. Participants had their blood pressure taken during a physical exam. They also completed a 55-question survey of their Internet use during the week leading up to their physical exam. Questions ranged from how they spent their time on the Internet and their number of email addresses to time spent on the Internet daily and for what purpose.
Researchers defined Internet use as visiting web sites, emailing, instant messaging, playing games, doing homework, shopping, downloading software and creating or maintaining webpages. Teens considered heavy Internet users were on the Internet an average of 25 hours a week.
Cassidy-Bushrow said the findings provide valuable information for school nurses for monitoring the health of students.
"School nurses could conduct annual health screenings where blood pressure and Internet use behaviors could be assessed. Students with an elevated blood pressure would then have a follow-up visit to determine next steps," she said.
She recommends that parents limit their children's time at home on the Internet to about two hours a day, five days a week.
The findings are detailed in the Journal of School Nursing.
