Brisk Walking May Help Lower Risk of Irregular Heartbeats, New Study Finds
Brisk Walking May Help Lower Risk of Irregular Heartbeats, New Study Finds
A new study published in the journal Heart reveals that walking at a brisk pace could significantly reduce the risk of developing irregular heart rhythms. While walking is already known to support overall heart health, researchers have now linked walking speed and duration directly to lower chances of heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia.
The findings show that individuals who walk briskly—defined as a pace over 4 mph—are at a notably lower risk of arrhythmias compared to those who walk more slowly. The study involved over 420,000 participants from the UK Biobank, with data collected through questionnaires and fitness trackers. Among them, about 9% developed some form of heart rhythm issue over a follow-up period of nearly 13 years.
Compared to slow walkers, those who walked at an average pace (3–4 mph) saw a 35% lower risk of developing any arrhythmia, while brisk walkers had a 43% lower risk. The risk reduction was even more pronounced for atrial fibrillation, with a 38% drop for average walkers and a 46% drop for brisk walkers. Time spent walking briskly was especially protective, while walking slowly for longer periods showed no clear benefit.
Researchers also found that the positive effects of brisk walking were largely independent of traditional heart disease risk factors. The greatest benefits were seen among women, younger individuals, people with chronic illnesses, and those who were not obese.
Demographically, brisk walkers were more likely to be male, have smaller waistlines, lead healthier lifestyles, and live in more favorable socioeconomic conditions. They also showed better metabolic and inflammatory markers, which the study suggests may explain about 36% of the protective effect of faster walking.
While the study doesn’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, researchers believe the findings are biologically plausible. Faster walking has been shown in previous research to improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation, and lower risks associated with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure—all of which are known contributors to heart rhythm issues.
With arrhythmias affecting nearly 60 million people worldwide as of 2019 and becoming more common, the researchers emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes—like increasing walking pace—as a simple yet effective step toward heart health.
