Walking and heart disease 

Getting active with heart disease 

Experts agree that getting active is one of the best things to reduce the risk of heart problems. And healthcare practitioners recommend most people with heart disease take more exercise too. Because walking is gentle most people can get going easily, making it ideal for getting more active. Even at a slow pace and for a short time, you’ll soon feel better for it.   

Is it safe to walk with heart disease? 

The key to exercising safely with heart problems is to know your limits. Your healthcare practitioner can advise you on what’s safe and achievable based on your specific condition or concern, so always check in with them before getting started.   

Heart disease and the benefits of walking  

Getting active can significantly improve your heart health, helping manage symptoms, speeding up recovery, and even preventing future heart problems. You’ll be improving cholesterol levels, reducing your blood pressure, and managing your weight too. And when you walk regularly, you’ll be strengthening your heart with every step you take.  

Getting started with walking if you have heart problems, heart disease or after a heart attack 

Easy walks at a slow pace are sufficient to get started and begin to feel the benefits. Take a rest when you need one and build up your distance gradually. Taking it one step at a time will help you make walking a habit that will improve your overall health as well as your heart health.   

Take your first steps to being more active, with confidence  

If you are new to walking, Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are ideal for getting started with walking and staying active, especially when you’re living with a health condition. Support from trained walk leaders helps you take those first steps towards being more active. And you’ll be amongst a friendly bunch all walking for their own reasons - whether to ward off illness, manage health conditions or boost wellbeing.  

Find your local Ramblers Wellbeing Walk. 

You can find out more about living with a heart condition by visiting the British Heart Foundation.