Brisk walking is a heart medicine
A new study published in the Journal of Heart Medicine (UK) shows that brisk walking is not only a simple, accessible form of exercise, but also an effective way to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Especially in high-risk groups such as the elderly, people with chronic diseases or a history of cardiovascular disease.
The study was conducted on more than 420,000 people in the UK Biobank database, and tracked for 13 years. Participants are classified based on walking speed: under 4.8 km/h (slow), from 4.8 - 6.4 km/h (average) and over 6.4 km/h (fast). The results show that people who walk at medium or fast speeds have a 35% to 43% lower risk of arrhythmia than those who walk slowly.
According to Dr. K. Srinath Reddy from the Indian Public Health Fund, walking quickly helps improve the operation of the "atrial sinus button" - the heart rate that starts the heart rate located in the upper chamber of the heart. When this button works slowly, the heart rate is easy to become abnormal.
Fast walking is a way to recharge your heart, maintaining a more stable and healthy heartbeat, Reddy explains.
Simple but highly effective exercise
The special thing about brisk walking is its simplicity and ease of doing. You don't need to go to a gym or any special equipment. Just step out of the door and start going, said Professor Jill Pell, lead author of the study, emphasizing that instead of waiting for medical interventions when arrhythmia occurs, we can prevent it early with a healthy exercise routine.
Obvious effectiveness in high-risk groups
Dr. Vijay Natarajan from Bharati Hospital (India) also appreciated this study, saying that this is a strong testament to the cardiovascular benefits of walking. The protective effects of brisk walking are especially evident in women, people under the age of 60, people with high blood pressure, two or more chronic diseases or not overweight.
Not only protecting the heart, brisk walking also helps reduce inflammation, control blood pressure, body weight, belly fat and reduce damage to blood vessels. In addition, regular exercise also helps reduce mental stress, which is a risk factor for arrhythmia.
