A study published in the journal Heart suggests that maintaining a brisk walking pace can reduce the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia.
The research found that this benefit was most pronounced in women, individuals under 60, non-obese individuals, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Heart rhythm abnormalities are increasingly common and are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and other health complications. Identifying modifiable risk factors, such as walking pace, is crucial for preventing these conditions.
While previous studies have shown that walking pace is linked to lower risks of cardiovascular issues, this study specifically focused on its impact on heart rhythm abnormalities. The researchers analyzed data from over 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank to assess the relationship between walking speed and heart health.
Data from activity trackers revealed the walking paces of 81,956 participants. Slow pace was defined as less than 3 miles per hour, steady/average pace as 3-4 miles per hour, and brisk pace as over 4 miles per hour. The average age of participants was 55, with 55% being women and 97% being white.
Of the participants, 6.5% reported a slow walking pace, 53% reported an average walking pace, and 41% reported a brisk walking pace. Over a 13-year tracking period, 9% developed heart rhythm abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias.
Those who walked at a faster pace were more likely to be men, live in less deprived areas, and have healthier lifestyles. They also had better physical health indicators and lower levels of metabolic risk factors.
After adjusting for background factors, those who walked at an average or brisk pace had significantly lower risks of heart rhythm abnormalities compared to those who walked at a slow pace. This was particularly true for atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias.
Participants who spent more time walking at a brisk pace were generally younger, white, male, and lived in less deprived areas. More time spent walking at an average or brisk pace was associated with a 27% lower risk of heart rhythm abnormalities.
The associations between walking pace and heart rhythm abnormalities were influenced by metabolic and inflammatory factors, and were independent of known cardiovascular risk factors. The strongest associations were seen in women, those under 60, non-obese individuals, those with high blood pressure, and those with multiple long-term conditions.
This study is observational, so no definitive conclusions about cause and effect can be made.
