Kids who get agitated or lose their cool while playing video games
might have increased chances of developing high blood pressure in
their later years.
A study of 4,000 adults revealed that young adults who became less
emotionally charged while playing video games had lesser chances
of developing high blood pressure in their middle age than those
who exhibited stressed-out behaviors while playing video games.
In a 13-year study, beginning in 1985, researchers studied 5,115
men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 and tested their cardiovascular
activity at predetermined times. Stress tests were administered
after the second year of the study to 4,202 of the study participants
who had normal blood pressure levels.
Three Types of Stress Tests That Were
Given
- The participant's hand was submersed into ice-cold water
for a period of 45 seconds
- Participants were required to trace an image
- Participants played a stressful video game
Results of the Study
- Participants with the highest blood pressure readings during
each of the tests were considered to have an increased likelihood
for developing high blood pressure later in life
- During a 13-year re-evaluation it was discovered that 353 of
the participants had developed high blood pressure
This study confirmed prior findings on the definitive relationship
between stress and high blood pressure and also provided an effective
indicator of future cases of high blood pressure.
Circulation
June 21, 2004