An analysis from Harvard Health found that heart benefits of walking include decreasing heart disease risk by a third.

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On the bright side, though,walking is one of the best waysto show your ticker some TLC.

(So, yes, in case you were wondering,walkingisenough exercise.)

woman sweating in the gym

cardiac surgeon and director of cardiac transplantation at theSandra Atlas Bass Heart HospitalatNorth Shore University Hospitalin Manhasset, New York

How much do you have to walk to lessen your risk of heart disease?

But how much time on your feet is necessary to reap those heart benefits of walking?

How does walking improve your heart health, anyway?

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Essentially, your likelihood of developing heart disease goes up when you have conditions that walking can help prevent.

This may also help improve yourlife expectancy after a heart attack by age.

Its also one of the easiest exercise habits to adopt.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

Or, you canspice things upwith hills and intervals.

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Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

cardiac surgeon and director of cardiac transplantation at theSandra Atlas Bass Heart HospitalatNorth Shore University Hospitalin Manhasset, New York

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FAQ

1.

Will walking make your heart stronger?

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

Walking ups your heart rate, betters your circulation, and lowers your blood pressure, according toUCLA Health.

This, in turn, makes your heart stronger and healthier.

So keep logging those miles!

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Is it better to walk faster or longer?

Whether youwalk faster or longer, youll reap health benefits either way.

About 15 minutes of high intensity [walking] a day equals about 30 minutes of moderate intensity.

Dr. Higgins says a longer walk still offers the same heart health advantages.

I recommend doing at least one high-intensity workout per week, or every other week.

On the rest of the days, do your moderate workouts, Dr. Higgins said.

What other activities support a healthy heart?

Association of Neurocognitive and Physical Function With Gait Speed in Midlife.

2019 Oct 2;2(10):e1913123.

PMID: 31603488; PMCID: PMC6804027.

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