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Dr. Jill Pell of the University of Glasgow, the study’s senior author, emphasized that walking is a simple, accessible way to boost heart health. “Walking is free, and you don’t need a gym membership or equipment. Just step outside and go,” she told CNN. “While treatments for heart rhythm issues exist, it’s far better to prevent them before they start.”
To reach their findings, researchers analyzed data from participants in the UK Biobank study, which began in the early 2000s. Participants reported their usual walking pace—slow, average, or brisk.
Results showed that around 6.5% of people walked slowly, 53% at an average pace, and 41% at a brisk pace. Those who walked at an average speed had a 35% lower risk of developing heart rhythm issues, while brisk walkers saw a 43% reduction in risk.
In a subset of nearly 82,000 participants who wore activity monitors, the data revealed that walking just 5–15 minutes a day at a moderate pace (about 3–4 mph) was enough to significantly reduce the likelihood of heart rhythm disorders.
Interestingly, the positive effects were most noticeable in participants under the age of 60, and particularly in women.
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