It is an analysis of over 36,000 people in the United Kingdom that has led to the results that the more steps, the better. And it is enough to increase the number from two to three thousand steps for it to have an effect, according to the results published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
The participants, who on average were 64 years old, either had a measured blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg, or they had stated that they were being treated with blood pressure medication. They all had to wear a pedometer around their wrist for seven days in a row to measure how far and how fast they walked.
More steps - lower risk
The researchers followed up the participants for just over eight years and noted the occurrence of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and death from any cause. In the analysis, they then saw a link between the number of steps and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
They saw, among other things, that those who walked 3,300 steps per day had a 17 percent lower risk of developing severe cardiovascular disease compared to those who walked 2,300 steps. Those who walked further also had a 24 percent lower risk of stroke and a 9 percent lower risk of heart attack.
Good for health
The risk of developing heart disease continued to decrease for every additional 1,000 steps the participants took. The researchers emphasize that it seems to be important for health to walk even if you do not reach the often-mentioned 7,000 to 10,000 steps per day.
The researchers write that they have used certain statistical models to get around the fact that people who have poorer health and a high risk of cardiovascular disease for that reason also walk less.
Over a billion people in the world live with high blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
