Enhancing cardiovascular wellness through a straightforward strolling technique, according to new research
A recent study published in the medical journal Heart has highlighted several significant benefits of brisk walking for cardiovascular health, particularly in relation to heart rhythm abnormalities.
The study, led by Professor Jill Pell, Henry Mechan Professor of Public Health at the University of Glasgow, found that people who described their usual walking pace as average or brisk were less likely to develop heart rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia.
Professor Pell stated that around 36% of the association between brisk walking and heart health was due to the beneficial effect on heart disease risk factors. This includes reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as making individuals less likely to gain weight.
The study, which used data from 420,925 participants in the UK Biobank, found that adults who walk at more than 4 miles per hour (mph) are 43% less likely to develop heart rhythm abnormalities over 13 years, compared to those who walk slowly. Most people walk at around 3.5 mph, and a brisk walk feels like a purposeful walk that raises heart rate and quickens breathing, but does not stop conversation.
Interestingly, the study found benefits for those walking at an average pace for at least five minutes per day, even if they are not walking briskly. More than half of the participants (53%) said they kept to an average walking pace, and just under half (41%) said they walked briskly.
However, it's important to note that the study was an observational study that used self-reported data, which is known to be less reliable. Additionally, the study's findings may need to be confirmed among non-white populations, as the study's participants were 97% white.
Despite these limitations, the study suggests that small changes to lifestyle, such as walking briskly for at least five minutes per day, could make a big difference in reducing the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities. After 13 years, 9% of participants developed heart rhythm abnormalities.
Professor Pell, who is also an Honorary Consultant in Public Health in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, has previously held the position of Professor of Epidemiology at the British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre in Glasgow. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology.
In conclusion, the study provides evidence that brisk walking can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health, potentially reducing the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities, heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke. It's a practical and effective form of physical activity that could serve as a preventative measure against a range of serious heart conditions.
- The study in the medical journal Heart, led by Professor Jill Pell, indicates that science has uncovered significant health benefits associated with brisk walking, particularly for cardiovascular health and heart rhythm abnormalities.
- The research conducted by Professor Pell reveals that brisk walking, by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and the risk of type 2 diabetes, among other factors, significantly contributes to overall health-and-wellness and medicine.
- In fitness-and-exercise, a brisk walk can be an effective method to improve heart health, as research has shown that walking at more than 4 miles per hour can decrease the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities by 43%, even for individuals walking at an average pace for at least five minutes daily.
