Study finds magic number of daily steps for health

Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the research underscores the importance of walking for a healthy lifestyle. Conducted by academics from the University of Sydney, the study analyzed data from over 70,000 individuals, averaging 61 years old. It found that each additional step taken beyond 2,200 steps daily decreases the risk of early death. Even if the rest of the day is sedentary, walking up to 10,000 steps can also lower the risk of heart disease.

Participants were monitored for seven days with tracking devices to determine their exercise levels. After seven years, 1,633 participants had died, and 6,190 suffered cardiovascular issues like heart attacks or strokes.

The research concluded that walking between 9,000 and 10,500 steps daily could reduce the risk of early death by 39% and the risk of heart attacks or strokes by a fifth. The lowest risks for stroke and heart attack were observed in individuals who walked approximately 9,700 steps a day.

Julie Ward, a nurse at the British Heart Foundation, emphasized the necessity of daily physical activity for maintaining a healthy life and reducing the risks of heart diseases and strokes. "This encouraging new study shows that every step towards a daily goal of 10,000 steps is significant in lowering the risks of early death and heart disease," she said.

Ward advised that 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week are essential for heart health and circulation. Activities fitting into one's lifestyle, such as taking regular walking breaks from the computer screen, going to the gym, participating in exercise classes, or getting off the bus a stop early to increase step count, are recommended.