Walking for 40 minutes reduces the incidence of heart attacks by 30%.

Chief Consultant and Head of the Cardiac Surgery Department at Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, Dr. Arun Goyal, said that practicing walking regularly may reduce the incidence of heart attacks by 30%. He also considered walking an important way to reduce the risk of death in the following years from heart attacks.

He explained that the hospital developed a guide called the “four kilometer rule” with the aim of providing an easy plan to implement and to commit to walking and obtain the best results, as walking for 40 minutes and a distance of 4 kilometers for four days a week is considered sufficient to enhance heart health and activate it.

He added that walking represents the ideal solution to avoid heart attacks, especially in light of the widespread sedentary lifestyle, as the majority of people do not realize the benefits of walking and do not pay enough attention to this sport. He pointed out that heart attacks are considered one of the most prominent causes of death in the Emirates, as people suffer from Nearly a third of the population suffers from heart disease, while 32% of them suffer from high blood pressure.

He pointed out that patients who have survived heart attacks should consult a cardiologist before starting exercise, to develop a plan that suits their condition. He continued that committing to walking in the weeks following a myocardial infarction may contribute to reducing the risk of death and other heart attacks.

He pointed out that according to a Swedish study, heart attack survivors who committed to exercising shortly after their injury were able to reduce their risk of death in the following years by up to 71%.

He added, “There is no need to walk for a full 40 minutes for beginners, as physical fitness grows gradually over time. Instead, the exercise can be done in two batches, and walk for 20 minutes each time. But it is necessary for patients to adhere to fast and regular walking, especially in “The days they feel tired, as walking provides the body with enough energy to continue exercising.”

He explained that comfortable shoes should be worn while walking and drinking water when needed to avoid dehydration during exercise, in addition to determining the appropriate threshold of exercise for each person and taking a break for a few minutes when the heart is exhausted.