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New research reveals that longer, continuous walks may unlock better heart health and a longer life. Participants who regularly walked for more than 10 minutes at a time showed markedly lower risks of cardiovascular disease and early death compared to those whose walks were short and fragmented.
Researchers examined data from over 33,000 UK Biobank participants who took fewer than 8,000 steps daily. While the popular 10,000-step target lacks scientific backing, experts stress that what truly matters isn’t just the total steps, it’s the consistency and the length of uninterrupted walking bouts.
Even among the least active people, those taking fewer than 5,000 steps a day, choosing longer continuous walks over short bursts dramatically lowered their risk of heart disease and premature death. The protective effect was clear. The longer the uninterrupted walking bouts, the greater the benefit for the heart.
Longer walks enhance blood circulation, lower blood pressure, improve glucose control, and strengthen the heart muscle. Regular walking also trains your muscles to extract oxygen from the blood more efficiently, which in turn reduces resting heart rate, curbs inflammation, and eases stress on the body.
If you’re just starting out, begin with short walks and gradually build up the time. You might start with five minutes a day, and add a few minutes each week until longer walks feel comfortable. The goal is to steadily increase your capacity for sustained movement, which strengthens your heart’s reserve, builds cardiac power, and improves overall physical resilience.
Starting a regular walking routine can feel tough at first, but it gets much easier as your body adapts. The gains may seem small in the beginning, yet every step adds up and contributes powerfully to a healthier heart over time.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Step Accumulation Patterns and Risk for Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Among Suboptimally Active Adults
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