Walking pace linked to reduced risks for an irregular heartbeat
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- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Brisk walking is a great form of aerobic exercise that works your heart and lungs. Now the exercise is tied to lower risks for an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), according to evidence published online April 15, 2025, by the journal Heart. Scientists evaluated the self-reported health, exercise, and walking speed data of more than 420,000 men and women (average age 55) who were followed for about 13 years. Compared with people who said they walked at a slow pace (less than 3 mph), those who walked at an average pace (3 or 4 mph) or brisk pace (more than 4 mph) had up to a 43% lower risk for developing arrhythmias. The study was observational and doesn’t prove conclusively that faster walking speed will protect you against heart arrythmias, but it’s plausible: walking reduces arrhythmia risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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