Study reveals best way to walk to prevent heart attack and stroke

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology reveals the best way to walk to prevent heart attack and stroke. The recommendation of 10,000 steps per day has gained popularity in smartwatches and health campaigns, but researchers found that there is no fixed number. They concluded that every extra step brings benefits to the heart and that the intensity of the walk also matters, especially for those with hypertension. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
The research followed over 36,000 people for eight years. Participants wore accelerometers for a week to measure the quantity and pace of steps. From 2,300 daily steps, each additional thousand steps resulted in a 17% reduction in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, 22% in heart failure, 9% in heart attack, and 24% in stroke. In practical terms, on average, 31.5 severe cases were prevented per 10,000 people per year.
The results also applied to people without high blood pressure, who had about 20% less risk of serious heart problems. In addition to quantity, pace was crucial: those who walked an average of 80 steps per minute for half an hour reduced their chances of experiencing cardiovascular events by 30%, regardless of the daily total. Those who walked even faster, above 130 steps per minute, increased the benefits.