Brisk Walking Linked to Lower Risk of Irregular Heart Rhythms, Study Finds
A recent study published in Heart has uncovered that walking at a brisk pace may significantly reduce the risk of developing irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia. While walking has long been recognized for its cardiovascular benefits, this research establishes a direct correlation between walking speed and a decreased likelihood of heart rhythm disorders.
Key findings include:
- Brisk walkers (walking at over 4 mph) experienced a 43% lower risk of developing any arrhythmia compared to those walking at a slower pace.
- Moderate walkers (walking at 3–4 mph) saw a 35% lower risk of arrhythmias.
- The greatest reduction in risk was observed for atrial fibrillation, with a 46% drop for brisk walkers and a 38% reduction for moderate walkers.
- The time spent walking briskly was identified as a key factor in reducing risk, with no clear benefits observed for slow walking over extended periods.
The study, which involved over 420,000 participants from the UK Biobank, tracked the individuals for nearly 13 years, with data collected through questionnaires and fitness trackers. About 9% of the participants developed some form of heart rhythm issue during this period.
Additionally, the study showed that the positive effects of brisk walking were largely independent of traditional heart disease risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The benefits were most pronounced in:
- Women
- Younger individuals
- Those with chronic illnesses
- Non-obese participants
Brisk walkers were more likely to have healthier lifestyles, better metabolic health, and smaller waistlines, factors that might explain around 36% of the protective effect of faster walking. These individuals also had better metabolic and inflammatory markers.
While the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, previous research has shown that faster walking improves metabolic health, reduces inflammation, and lowers the risks associated with obesity and high blood pressure—all of which contribute to heart rhythm disorders.
Given that arrhythmias now affect nearly 60 million people worldwide, the researchers emphasize the importance of simple lifestyle changes, like increasing walking speed, as an easy and effective way to promote heart health.
