2,000 steps to a healthier heart: Walking that far every day for a year can reduce heart attack and stroke risk by 8%
Exercise is equivalent to walking 20 minutes a day at a moderate pace
Walking 40 minutes a day can reduce cardiovascular risk by up to 20%
Researchers at University of Leicester looked at 9,306 adults for study
Those with greater levels of activity had lower levels of risk
By Jenny Hope Medical Correspondent
PUBLISHED: 20:13 EST, 19 December 2013 | UPDATED: 20:14 EST, 19 December 2013
Taking just 2,000 extra steps a day could help people prone to heart attacks and stroke cut their risk by eight per cent, claim researchers.
The exercise is equivalent to walking 20 minutes a day at a moderate pace, says a study in The Lancet medical journal (must credit).
The health benefits are gained by anyone doing 2,000 extra steps for a year on top of their normal levels of activity.