Walking towards a healthy heart

Take steps towards a healthy mind, body and heart

Walking is a great way to be active, as you can go at your own pace and build up gradually. Plus, it’s free and easy to get started!

Activities like walking can benefit heart health, including blood pressure and cholesterol, and have also been proven to:

• reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers
• improve and maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures
• improve and maintain balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.

A good starting point for being active again after a heart event or diagnosis is with easy walking around the house or on your street. Make sure that you’re wearing comfortable clothes and shoes and that the ground is flat. Walk at an easy pace. You should be able to talk without feeling short of breath.

If you don’t feel well enough to walk one day, it’s okay to give it a miss for that day. Give your body time to rest.

You can start with walking 5–10 minutes a day and build up slowly to 30 minutes over several weeks. When you choose to walk, every step is a step towards improved heart health.

Join a walking group

Joining a walking group is a great way to find support, make friends and feel better. It can make a big difference. Walking is good for your your mind, body and heart.

When you walk with others, you chat and share your experiences, making you feel less alone.