Many teenagers, and even adults, like to spend free time playing computer games, but not all of them know that such a hobby can have a negative impact on their health. Russian cardiologist Anna Korenevich explained why video games can be dangerous for the heart.
As noted by the specialist, medical research has found that computer games can trigger dangerous cardiac arrhythmia in people with heart disease: ventricular tachycardia. “French doctors analysed 22 cases of heart attack in children from 6 to 16 years old while playing on a computer. 19 people were diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, which is the most dangerous cardiac arrhythmia that leads to cardiac arrest and sudden death. In three patients, the diagnosis remained unclear. As a result of the attack, six patients had cardiac arrest, and four – sudden death,” she said.
Ms. Korenevich explained that, when immersed in computer games for a long time, our brain ceases to distinguish between virtual and real dangers, “When dangerous moments come in the game, there is a powerful release of adrenaline – just like in real life. So, the daily release of adrenaline can provoke arrhythmia if there is some minor and unnoticeable problem in the heart.”
With this in mind, it is better not to spend hours in the virtual reality, since gaming negatively affects the functioning of the heart or can even lead to its sudden stop.
“You should better limit yourself or your children in computer games – to no more than 3 hours,” Ms. Korenevich added. “At the same time, do not forget that the computer negatively affects not only the heart, but also the eyes, brain, posture, and mental state. Constant sitting in one place and staring at the monitor also kill sleep, cause insomnia, promote the development of aggression, depression, and negative thinking. The monitor flickering, bright and aggressive colours, and loud noises produce an intense effect on the nervous system and visual apparatus. It is better to spend your free time actively – i.e. to walk more, go outside, meet friends in real life, play sports, go on various quests. Actually, time can be spent offline as actively as online.”
