The Optimal Daily Step Count for a Longer Life: Debunking the 10,000 Myth

Walking just 2,700 steps a day, or around 2km (1.2 miles), can lower the risk of dying young or suffering from heart attacks or strokes, according to a study. Hitting 8,700 steps per day reduces the risk by up to 60%, while walking 8,000 steps per day may lower the risk of an early death. The study, which reviewed 12 international studies involving over 110,000 participants, found that the ideal step count for reducing the chance of dying early was 8,763, while 7,126 steps per day was linked with the biggest drop in cardiovascular disease risk. The study also found that a faster pace was associated with a reduced mortality risk, regardless of the total number of steps per day.