Engaging in regular and extended bouts of walking can help shield you from abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, heart diseases, and strokes.
Recent research published in Heart, a publication owned by the British Medical Journal, supports this notion. According to the study, adults who maintained a brisk walking pace of over four miles per hour (mph) were 43% less likely to develop heart rhythm abnormalities over a 13-year period.
For many people, a pace of 3.5 mph is typical, so walking at 4 mph may feel more energetic. It’s a deliberate pace that slightly elevates your heart rate and breathing, but still allows for conversation.
“Individuals who perceived their normal walking pace as average (3-4 mph) or active (>4 mph) experienced a reduced risk of heart rhythm abnormalities,” stated Professor Jill Perl, the Henry Mechanic Professor of Public Health at the University of Glasgow and senior author of the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
Furthermore, even minor lifestyle changes, such as walking at an average pace for at least five minutes daily, were shown to yield significant benefits according to the study’s findings.
The study included data from 420,925 participants from the UK Biobank, of which 81,956 individuals tracked their walking habits using activity monitors.
After 13 years, approximately 9% of participants developed heart rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia.
Individuals who spent more time walking at an average or active pace were found to have lower odds of developing these abnormalities compared to those with less walking activity.
It was estimated that around 36% of the benefits associated with brisk walking and heart health could be attributed to its positive impact on risk factors for heart disease.
“Brisk walking can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation in the body,” explained Professor Perl.
While the study had limitations, including its reliance on self-reported data and a predominantly white participant pool, the results emphasize the potential benefits of incorporating regular brisk walking into one’s routine.
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Professor Jill Perl holds the Henry Mechanic Chair in Public Health at the University of Glasgow. She also serves as an honorary public health consultant for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Commission. Prior to her current role, Professor Perl was a professor of epidemiology at the British Heart Foundation’s Centre for Cardiovascular Research in Glasgow. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the European Society of Cardiology.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
