American College of Cardiology guidelines link step count to heart health

New scientific guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggest that significant cardiovascular benefits can be achieved without necessarily reaching the common goal of 10,000 steps per day.

Research indicates that approximately 7,000 steps daily are associated with a 47% lower risk of death from any cause or cardiovascular disease compared to roughly 2,000 steps per day. Experts emphasize that physical activity should be tailored to an individual's specific needs, fitness level, and health status.

For healthy adults and those with stable chronic cardiovascular disease, specialists recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. Benefits may increase with up to 300 minutes of moderate or 150 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly. Additionally, muscle-strengthening activities are recommended at least twice a week to help maintain muscle mass, improve insulin sensitivity, and assist in lowering blood pressure.