Walking Longer, Not Just More, Can Boost Heart Health

Walking is good for you, but how you walk might matter just as much as how often. A recent study looked at over 33, 000 adults in the UK and found that taking longer walks can be better for your heart than just racking up steps. The study found that people who took most of their steps in longer walks had a lower risk of heart problems and dying from any cause. Even if they took the same number of steps as someone who walked in short bursts, the longer walkers had better health outcomes. The study suggests that adding one or two longer walks per day, each lasting at least 10-15 minutes, can have big benefits. This is especially true for people who don't walk much. The study found that among the most inactive participants, longer walks were linked to up to 85% lower mortality compared to shorter walks. But the study has some limitations. It's only observational, and the data was collected over just a few days. Also, the pace of walking wasn't fully assessed. So, while the findings are intriguing, more research is needed before we can make any firm recommendations. The study also highlights that the total number of daily steps is not the only factor to consider. How you space out your steps can also impact your health. Experts speculate that longer bouts of continuous walking may promote cardiometabolic benefits, boost blood flow, or improve insulin sensitivity. So, if you're looking to boost your heart health, consider taking longer walks. It might be more beneficial than just trying to hit a certain step count.