A new study has found that walking at a brisk pace may cut the risk of heartbeat irregularities nearly in half, compared with walking at a leisurely pace.
The researchers analysed data from nearly 4 lakh adults in the United Kingdom for a period of 13 years. Participants answered questionnaires that asked whether their walking pace was slow (less than 3 miles or 4.8 kilometers per hour), average (3 to 4 miles or 4.8 to 6.4 kilometers per hour) or brisk (more than 4 miles or 6.4 kilometers per hour).
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The study found that 9 per cent of participants developed arrhythmias. It also found that individuals who maintained a steady walking pace had a 35% reduced risk of developing any form of cardiac arrhythmia. The reduction in risk for atrial fibrillation was even greater, at 38%.
These higher walking speeds were also associated with lower risks of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias.
In addition to decreasing irregular heartbeat risks, those who engaged in steady and brisk walking were less likely to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and blood sugar, and weight gain.
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The researchers noted that the study was observational and limited by the fact the participants were self reported and did not cover varied age groups or races.
The researchers, led by Prof Jill Pell of the University of Glasgow, said: “This study is the first to explore the pathways underpinning the association between walking pace and arrhythmias, and to provide evidence that metabolic and inflammatory factors may have a role: walking faster decreased the risk of obesity and inflammation, which, in turn, reduced the risk of arrhythmia.”
