Prolonged screen time may increase blood clot risk among young people, warn experts

Hours spent gaming, binge-watching OTT shows or scrolling through social media may have health implications beyond eye strain and back pain. Vascular experts have warned that prolonged, uninterrupted sitting can slow blood circulation in the legs and increase the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), even among younger people.

At a conference held in the city from October 8 to 10, experts highlighted that the concern was not screen time itself but the lack of physical movement associated with spending long hours in front of digital devices.

How prolonged screen time can increase blood clot risk

Dr Tapish Sahu, organising secretary of VSI-ASVS 2026 and head of vascular and endovascular surgery at Max Hospital, said doctors were increasingly seeing young patients with prolonged sitting habits and excessive screen exposure.


"Sitting continuously for four to six hours while gaming or binge-watching leaves the calf muscles largely inactive. Movement breaks must become part of digital life," he said.

Dr Tarun Grover, senior director of peripheral vascular and endovascular sciences at Medanta, said prolonged immobility was traditionally associated with long-distance travel, hospitalisation and being bedridden. However, doctors now also need to consider the amount of time young people spend sitting in front of gaming consoles, computers and OTT screens.

"Today, we also need to ask young patients how many hours they spend continuously sitting in front of a gaming console, computer or OTT screen," he added.

Other factors that can increase DVT risk

Experts clarified that screen time does not directly or automatically cause DVT. However, prolonged sitting can contribute to the risk, particularly when combined with other factors such as obesity, dehydration, smoking, hormonal changes, inherited clotting disorders or a previous history of thrombosis.

A study published this year involving 11 adolescents with thrombosis found that participants spent an average of six hours daily using digital devices, with uninterrupted sitting periods averaging 2.7 hours.

Why movement breaks are important

Walking and other forms of physical activity activate the calf muscles, which help push blood towards the heart and support healthy circulation.

Dr Bhupesh Garg, senior vascular and endovascular surgeon at the Vascular Society of India, highlighted the impact of smoking and prolonged sitting on vascular health.

"smoking adversely affects vascular health and increases thrombosis risk, while prolonged sitting slows blood flow from the legs due to calf muscle inactivity".

Experts also pointed out that regular exercise may not completely counter the effects of prolonged sitting. Young people who spend several hours in classrooms before returning home to gaming, streaming or social media may accumulate significant sedentary time throughout the day.

Taking regular movement breaks and avoiding sitting continuously for several hours can help reduce prolonged immobility.

What is DVT and what are its warning signs?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. The condition can become life-threatening if the clot travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.

[With TOI inputs]