New research reveals that walking between 9,000 to 10,500 steps daily can greatly decrease the risks of heart disease and early death, emphasizing the importance of physical activity.
Recent studies have underscored the significant health benefits of walking, demonstrating that an increase in daily steps can notably decrease the risks of heart disease and early death. Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, based on data from over 70,000 participants of the UK Biobank, suggests that walking between 9,000 to 10,500 steps daily is optimal for health benefits. However, even modest levels of activity, such as taking 2,200 steps daily, are linked with improved health outcomes.
The investigation, which involved participants wearing accelerometers for seven days, recorded 1,633 deaths and 6,190 cardiovascular events over a follow-up period of seven years. The findings reveal that individuals engaging in this level of physical activity, regardless of spending considerable time sitting, have the lowest risk of suffering from stroke and heart attacks.
Health experts, including Julie Ward from the British Heart Foundation and Matt Lambert from the World Cancer Research Fund, have highlighted the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines. Ward points out that striving towards the 10,000-step mark can significantly contribute to heart and circulatory health and recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly.
These studies collectively indicate that walking, an accessibly moderate form of physical activity, can have profound benefits on an individual’s overall health, reducing the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
