Walking at a brisk pace may significantly reduce the risk of developing heart rhythm problems, suggests a new peer-reviewed study published in BMJ Heart. The research analysed data from over 4,20,000 participants in the UK Biobank, making it one of the largest studies of its kind.
Participants self-reported their walking pace, which was categorised as slow (less than 3mph), average (3–4mph), and brisk (over 4mph). Just over 6.5 percent walked slowly, 53 percent maintained an average pace, and 41 percent walked briskly. Around 82,000 participants also reported how much time they spent walking at each pace.
Over a follow-up period averaging 13 years, 36,574 participants—about 9 percent—developed some form of heart rhythm abnormality. These included atrial fibrillation, where the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly, and ventricular arrhythmias, affecting the heart’s lower chambers.
After adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors, researchers found that those with an average or brisk walking pace had a 35 percent and 43 percent lower risk, respectively, of developing heart rhythm disorders compared to slow walkers. More time spent walking at an average or brisk pace was also associated with a 27 percent lower risk of these abnormalities.
The study indicated that around 36 percent of the protective effect from walking faster could be explained by metabolic and inflammatory benefits. Faster walkers were generally less obese, had lower inflammation levels, and exhibited better overall health indicators such as blood sugar and blood pressure.
Demographically, those with faster walking paces were more likely to be men, live in less deprived areas, and lead healthier lifestyles. The average participant was 55 years old, 55 percent were women, and 97 percent were white, which may limit the generalisability of the findings across different age and ethnic groups.
Lead author Prof Jill Pell from the University of Glasgow noted that while the research is observational and cannot confirm a direct cause-and-effect link, the biological explanation is strong: faster walking reduces obesity and inflammation—key factors in reducing arrhythmia risk.
This study is the first to explore how walking speed may impact arrhythmias through underlying health pathways, offering further evidence of the benefits of daily physical activity.
Courtesy: the Guardian
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
