Increasing Walking Speed and Step Count Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in Hypertension Patients

Recent research involving over 36,000 individuals with high blood pressure highlights the positive impact of walking further and at a faster pace on reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, demonstrates that even steps taken below the traditional target of 10,000 per day can provide significant health benefits.

Participants wore wrist accelerometers over a week, capturing detailed data on their walking habits. Findings revealed that each additional 1,000 steps was associated with a 17% decrease in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) risk, up to a daily step count of 10,000. Walking faster, with an average pace of 80 steps per minute during 30-minute sessions, correlated with a 30% reduction in MACE risk. Importantly, stepping at speeds above 130 steps per minute showed no evidence of harm.

The study analyzed data from UK Biobank participants, aged approximately 64 on average, monitored between 2013 and 2015, with a follow-up period of nearly eight years. During this period, nearly 1,935 cardiovascular incidents were recorded. Results also indicated significant reductions in heart failure (22%), heart attacks (9%), and strokes (24%) with increased walking activity.

The research emphasizes that any increase in physical activity, even below the traditional goal, can be beneficial for individuals with high blood pressure. Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis from the University of Sydney explained that more intense walking translates to lower future risk of serious cardiovascular problems. This insight provides an accessible and measurable target for patients and healthcare providers, advocating for physical activity as a standard component of high blood pressure management.

However, the study notes limitations, including only baseline activity measurements and the observational nature that cannot establish causation. Despite this, extensive analysis minimized reverse causation risks. The findings suggest that public health guidelines could incorporate encouragement of increased walking intensity and steps for improved cardiovascular health, especially among hypertensive populations.

In conclusion, engaging in regular, brisk walking—even in small increments—can significantly lower the risk of devastating heart and blood vessel diseases. This research underscores the importance of integrating simple, daily activity changes into health strategies to combat cardiovascular disease globally,

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-faster-linked-cardiovascular-events-people.html