Older people who walk at a brisk pace are less likely to die of heart disease compared to their slower contemporaries.
Following a 5-year study on how heart risks related to slow walkers, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published an online report, involved more than 3,208 men and women aged 65 to 85. researchers excluded people with Parkinson’s or dementia, since these diseases tend to cause problems with walking.
The authors, from the University Pierre and Marie Curie in France, found a link between cardiovascular deaths and walking speed even when factors likely to influence the results were taken into account.
They wrote: "This increased risk of cardiovascular death was seen in both sexes, younger as well as in older participants, those with or without a high risk vascular profile, and those with low or usual physical activity."
The experts said there was evidence of a link between low walking speed and increased thickness of arteries, which is associated with cardiovascular disease. Walking quickly has also been shown to increase levels of "good" cholesterol in the blood, which can cut the risk of heart disease.
The authors said the results showed the need to keep fit and healthy as people age. "These findings show that assessment of motor performances in older people with simple measures such as walking speed can be performed easily and that the role of fitness in preserving life and function in older age is important."
