Impact of Social Media on Cardiovascular Health: An Overview

Introduction:

Social media has undoubtedly become a ubiquitous part of one’s daily routine. Increased usage of smartphones and social networking sites has made it easier for people to stay connected with the world, friends, family, and colleagues. Social media has several benefits, such as providing an avenue for sharing ideas and information, keeping up-to-date with current events, and enabling us to build new relationships. However, with the increased use of social media comes concerns about its potential impact on one’s health. One area of particular concern is the impact of social media on cardiovascular health.

Why Is Social Media Causing a Health Concern?

Social media is on the verge of ruling one’s life. Most people spend more time on social media than they do interacting with friends face-to-face. While this may sound like a good thing, it can actually have quite the opposite effect on one’s health. In fact, it is possible that using social media too much can actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Social media can help a person stay in touch with friends and family, but it can also cause stress and anxiety. Many people use social media to keep tabs on their health or other issues and this can be good for some people. However, too much time spent on these sites can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and loneliness-like symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares.

What Is Cardiovascular Health?

Cardiovascular health refers to the condition of the heart and blood vessels. Pumping out sufficient blood is the main function of the heart, which helps to provide oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Blood vessels are the pipes or tubes that carry blood to and from the heart. Cardiovascular health is essential for overall health, as the heart and blood vessels play a crucial role in the body's functioning. Good cardiovascular health can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Is Sitting and Scrolling the New Smoking?

The modern world is a fast-paced place. All are constantly checking their phones, scrolling through social media feeds, and moving from one thing to another in the blink of an eye. But is all this constant movement actually good for one’s health? The research says it is not. In fact, it has been linked to increased heart disease risk. A recent study looked at how scrolling on mobile devices affects heart health. The researchers found that scrolling through social media feeds on the phone is like having a cigarette every three minutes: it is bad for the heart.

What Are the Social Media Usage Statistics?

Social media usage has been on the rise over the past decade. According to studies, around 4.2 billion people are active on social media worldwide, with an average of two and a half hours spent on social media platforms daily. This number has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people are working remotely and spending more time at home.

How Social Media Affects Cardiovascular Health?

Several factors related to social media use can negatively impact cardiovascular health. These factors include stress, sedentary behavior, and sleep disturbances.

• Stress: The modern age has modern problems, and one of them could be social media. Social media can be the origin of stress for some individuals, especially the youth. This can progress to chronic stress over a period of time. Long-term stress can have negative effects on the heart. Social media can create stress through the pressure to keep up with trends, the fear of missing out (FOMO), and the anxiety caused by online harassment. Any form of stress can trigger the release of stress hormones in the body, causing stressful conditions for the heart. The heart naturally gets worked up to pump out sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs and help cope with stress as a defense mechanism. Hence, stress can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

• Impact on Mental Health: Social media can affect mood and mental health in other ways, especially when one tries to compare themselves with others posting about their successes on social media. This kind of comparison can lead to low self-esteem and self-confidence issues, which can actually cause cardiovascular problems such as depression or anxiety disorders later down the line.

• Sedentary Behavior: Social media use often involves sitting for long periods, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary behavior has been linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other health problems. According to a study by the American Heart Association, people who spend more than four hours a day sitting have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who are active and sit for less than two hours a day.

• Sleep Disturbances: Blur light, which is emitted from various electronic devices, can cause interrupted sleep patterns, leading to sleep disturbances. Sleep is essential for good cardiovascular health, as it allows the body to repair and rejuvenate. Poor quality sleep or insomnia (inability to sleep) has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

How to Reduce the Negative Impact of Social Media on Cardiovascular Health?

There are several steps that people can take to lower the negative impact of social media on cardiovascular health.

• Limit Screen Time: Taking baby steps by reducing or limiting screen time and practicing self-control effectively helps in reducing the impact of social media on cardiovascular health. People should aim to limit their screen time to two hours a day or less.

• Take Regular Breaks: Stepping aside from the social media world or taking regular breaks can help lower stress levels. People should aim to take breaks every 30 minutes to an hour.

• Practice Good Sleep Hygiene: Practicing good sleep hygiene can help reduce the negative impact of social media on sleep patterns. People should avoid using electronic devices before bedtime, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

Conclusion

Social media has become an integral part of most people’s lives, but its impact on cardiovascular health is concerning. The stress, sedentary behavior, and sleep disturbances caused by social media can potentially increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, by taking steps to reduce screen time, take regular breaks, and practice good sleep hygiene, people can limit the impact of social media on cardiovascular health. On the other hand, social media can be used to create awareness about cardiovascular disease and provide support for individuals living with cardiovascular disease. Overall, it is crucial to strike a balance between social media use and good cardiovascular health.