Spending your youth glued to screens—whether it’s your phone, computer, or TV—could drastically reduce your chances of reaching 60, according to a compelling new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

The study, which followed over 4,000 young adults for more than 30 years, found that those who spent significant time in front of a screen during their early 20s were at a notably higher risk of heart attacks later in life.

The data analyzed in this study comes from the Coronary Artery Risk and Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a long-term project that monitored the heart health of thousands of individuals over several decades. The results are alarming: for every additional hour spent watching television at age 23, there was a 26% increase in the likelihood of developing heart disease later in life. Additionally, this increased screen time was associated with a 16% higher chance of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

Additionally, they found that risks didn’t diminish with age as for every extra hour of daily TV time during midlife raised the odds of coronary heart disease by 55%, stroke by 58%, and overall heart disease by 32%.

The authors emphasized the opportunity cost of increased screen time in our you displacing crucial activities like sleep and physical exercise and setting up the stage for poor health outcomes, including heart disease and stroke.

The study underscores the importance of establishing healthy screen habits early in life to mitigate these risks…such as limiting it to practically zero.

This research serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reducing sedentary behavior and integrating more physical activity into our daily lives. Establishing healthy routines early on not only improves current well-being but also lays the foundation for a healthier future.

The message is clear: it’s time to put down the remote, step away from the screens, and go exercise instead—your heart will thank you for it…and your age.