Walking faster could help protect your heart, according to a new study published in the journal Heart.

🔹 Key Findings:

• Walking at an average pace lowers the risk of heart rhythm issues by 35%.

• A brisk pace cuts the risk by 43%, compared to walking slowly.

• Just 5–15 minutes a day at a faster pace can help.

🔹 What Are Heart Rhythm Abnormalities? These include:

• Atrial fibrillation (A-fib): Irregular, fast heartbeat (most common).

• Bradyarrhythmias: Abnormally slow heartbeat.

• Ventricular arrhythmias: Very fast beats from the lower chambers of the heart.

These conditions can raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and early death.

🔹 Why It Matters:

• Walking is free, easy, and accessible.

• Faster walkers in the study tended to have healthier lifestyles, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and smaller waistlines.

🔹 Who Benefits Most?

• People under 60

• Women

• Those with high blood pressure, multiple health conditions, or no obesity

👩‍⚕️ Experts say this supports previous research showing physical activity helps prevent heart issues, especially in women.

⚠️ Note: The study is observational, so it doesn’t prove cause and effect. More research is needed.

💡 Takeaway: Start walking—even slowly. Over time, your pace can increase, and so can the benefits for your heart.