In a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the researchers found that people who reported a faster walking speed had a lower chance of developing heart failure.

Can a person’s walking speed affect their risk of heart failure?

Yes, it can, say a new study published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

During a median 16.9 year follow-up of 25,183 women aged 50–79, the study reported 1,455 women hospitalized for heart failure.

Women who walked at an average or fast pace had 27 percent and 34 percent reduced chances of heart failure, respectively than those who walked at a slow rate.

Fast walking for less than 1 hour per week reduced the risk of heart failure in the same way that average or casual walking for more than 2 hours per week did.

“This study confirms other studies demonstrating the importance of walking speed on mortality and other cardiovascular outcomes,” says senior author Charles B. Eaton, MD, MS, of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

“Given that limited time for exercise is frequently given as a barrier to regular physical activity, walking faster but for less time might provide similar health benefits as the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity.”

Source: 10.1111/jgs.17657

Image Credit: Getty

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