Replacing just 30 minutes of sitting with walking could halve the risk of dying for millions of people in the UK, according to new research.
Scientists tracked approximately 600 patients who had recently experienced heart symptoms such as chest pain, finding that even small increases in daily movement significantly improved survival odds.
The study revealed that those who moved the least over a 30-day period had two-and-a-half times the risk of dying within the following year, compared to the most active patients.
Researchers emphasised the importance of "sitting less and doing more" for everyone, whether they have existing heart problems or not.
Exercise of any kind helps keep the heart healthy
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The research found that replacing sedentary time with cleaning or walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular emergencies by 50 per cent, while more strenuous exercise like jogging lowered the risk by 61 per cent.
Even swapping 30 minutes of sitting for sleeping provided benefits, cutting the risk of A&E visits or death by almost a sixth.
Professor Bethany Barone Gibbs, an expert from West Virginia University, highlighted the importance of even small bursts of activity.
"Replacing sedentary time with light intensity activities, like tidying up the house or strolling at a slow pace, was nearly as beneficial as moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activities," she said.
Keith Diaz, the study's lead author, added: "One doesn't have to start running marathons after a cardiovascular event to see benefits."
Exercise of any kind helps keep the heart healthy. As a muscle, the heart grows stronger with exercise, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently throughout the body, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure low.
The study, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, analysed data from 609 patients who had attended Columbia University Irving Medical Centre with heart attack symptoms.
Patients had an average age of 62 and were given a watch to track their activity for 30 days after discharge.
Heart disease kills about 160,000 people yearly in Britain
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The most active participants averaged 144 minutes of light activity, 25 minutes of vigorous activity, eight-and-a-half hours of sleep and spent nearly 12 hours sedentary daily.
In contrast, the least active patients spent nearly 16 hours sedentary.
The researchers acknowledged limitations, including not collecting demographic data that could influence survival outcomes and only tracking activity for 30 days.
Heart disease kills about 160,000 people yearly in Britain. The NHS advises adults to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly to protect against health problems like heart attacks.
