New Study Reveals the Secret to a Healthy Heart: Longer Walks
For years, people have been told to aim for 10,000 steps a day in order to stay healthy. However, a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has found that this number may be misleading. The research reveals that taking a longer walk each day can be more beneficial for one's heart than walking short distances multiple times.
In fact, the study found that adults who walked for at least 15 minutes without stopping had a lower risk of heart problems compared to those who took shorter walks. This equates to about 1,500 steps in a row, which is a significant increase from the traditional 10,000-step goal.
But why does it matter how you walk? According to co-lead researcher Prof Emmanuel Stamatakis, "we tend to place all the emphasis on the number of steps or the total amount of walking but neglect the crucial role of patterns, for example 'how' walking is done."
So what can people do to make a positive impact on their heart health through walking? The researchers suggest that individuals aim to walk for longer periods at a time, even if they're not naturally active. This could be as simple as taking an extra 10-15 minute walk during the day or finding ways to incorporate physical activity into daily routines.
While the study's findings are promising, it's essential to note that walking alone may not be enough to prevent heart disease. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, which can help reduce the risk of heart problems.
In any case, the research highlights the importance of incorporating physical activity into our daily lives and finding ways to make it more enjoyable. As Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, notes, "exercise helps everyone live a happier and healthier life."
For years, people have been told to aim for 10,000 steps a day in order to stay healthy. However, a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has found that this number may be misleading. The research reveals that taking a longer walk each day can be more beneficial for one's heart than walking short distances multiple times.
In fact, the study found that adults who walked for at least 15 minutes without stopping had a lower risk of heart problems compared to those who took shorter walks. This equates to about 1,500 steps in a row, which is a significant increase from the traditional 10,000-step goal.
But why does it matter how you walk? According to co-lead researcher Prof Emmanuel Stamatakis, "we tend to place all the emphasis on the number of steps or the total amount of walking but neglect the crucial role of patterns, for example 'how' walking is done."
So what can people do to make a positive impact on their heart health through walking? The researchers suggest that individuals aim to walk for longer periods at a time, even if they're not naturally active. This could be as simple as taking an extra 10-15 minute walk during the day or finding ways to incorporate physical activity into daily routines.
While the study's findings are promising, it's essential to note that walking alone may not be enough to prevent heart disease. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, which can help reduce the risk of heart problems.
In any case, the research highlights the importance of incorporating physical activity into our daily lives and finding ways to make it more enjoyable. As Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, notes, "exercise helps everyone live a happier and healthier life."
. it's not about how many steps you take, but like, how you're taking them? if u can get in a longer walk without stoppin' and just enjoyin' the ride, that's def more beneficial for ur heart 
. 15 mins of straight-up walkin' is actually a pretty big deal! so don't be discouraged if u can only do that sometimes, jus keep at it and find ways to make walkin' more fun 
. I've been saying that 10,000 steps isn't everything when it comes to exercise for ages... 
. It's all about making it sustainable and enjoyable, right? Walking for 15 minutes straight without stopping is totally achievable for most people. You can start by taking an extra 10-minute walk during your lunch break or after dinner 
. Trust me, it makes a difference 
. And hey, if you're not naturally active, don't worry! Just find ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, like walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the elevator 
. It's all about progress, not perfection 
.
... 10k steps is defo better than nothin but now its all about takin long walks lol 15 min without stoppin sounds like just gettin to the fridge or something 
? Get those endorphins going, ditch that treadmill, and just go for a stroll. I mean, who doesn't love a good walkies? 
It's like they say, "a longer walk is better than a shorter run"... or something like that 
. Like, who needs 10,000 steps if you can just walk for like an hour or something? It makes sense that it's not the number of steps that matters, but how you do 'em. I mean, my grandma used to say that walking uphill was way harder than walking on flat ground... guess she was onto something 
, I've been trying to increase my steps every day but now I feel like it's not just about reaching that 10k goal, it's about finding what works for me & making walking a habit 
. taking those longer walks without stopping sounds amazing and I'm definitely gonna try that 
so like we've been told to aim for 10k steps a day but it turns out that's not even the most important thing - taking longer walks can be way more beneficial for our hearts 
