A simple daily walk is one of the most accessible and powerful tools available for improving overall health, especially for individuals managing chronic conditions. The profound benefits of daily walking extend far beyond just physical fitness. It is a low-impact, highly effective activity that supports cardiovascular health, manages blood sugar, boosts mood, and helps maintain independence. For patients and caregivers navigating the complexities of chronic care, incorporating a consistent walking routine, often supported by wearable activity trackers, is a proactive step toward a healthier and more engaged life.
What are the Benefits of Daily Walking?
The benefits of daily walking are seen in people who take a brisk walk each day . Walkimg strengthens the cardiovascular system and manage metabolic risk factors. This is critical given the high prevalence of chronic disease in the U.S. In 2023, approximately 76.4% of U.S. adults (about 194 million people) reported having at least one chronic condition, with over half having two or more, making preventative strategies like walking more vital than ever.
Regular walking helps improve blood circulation, which can lead to a reduction in high blood pressure (hypertension), a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It can also help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. Physical activity like walking helps regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and assisting in its management for those already diagnosed.
Walking within 60 to 90 minutes of eating is particularly effective at minimizing blood sugar spikes. Walking burns calories and boosts metabolism. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial, as chronic conditions like obesity continue to rise, even among younger adults.
Benefits of Daily Walking: Strengthening Bones and Joints
Contrary to the belief that movement might worsen joint pain, walking is a low-impact exercise that is incredibly beneficial for musculoskeletal health, which is especially important for conditions like arthritis. Additional benefits of walking are that it keep joints lubricated and strengthens the muscles that support them. This “squishing” motion nourishes the joint cartilage, which often lacks a direct blood supply, helping to improve range of motion and mobility.
As a weight-bearing exercise, walking can help slow the loss of bone mass, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. For older adults, this can be key to maintaining independence and preventing falls.
The Role of Activity Trackers in Chronic Care
Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to measure and maximize the benefits of daily walking. Wearable smart watches provide patients and caregivers concrete feedback on their activity levels. Wearable activity trackers and even simple pedometers have moved beyond basic fitness to become crucial components of modern healthcare.
Many commercial activity trackers seamlessly integrate their step count, distance, heart rate, and sleep data with remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems. This means the walking data can be shared with a patient’s clinical care team. These wearables act as powerful add-ons to traditional RPM devices.
For example, a patient with heart failure might use a connected blood pressure cuff (a traditional RPM device) and a fitness tracker. The cuff provides a snapshot of their vital sign (blood pressure), while the tracker provides continuous data on their daily activity (steps walked) and heart rate, giving the care team a much richer, real-time picture of the patient’s overall health and adherence to lifestyle recommendations.
When patients, seeing their progress in real-time, such as hitting a step goal or seeing their resting heart rate drop, it provides immediate motivation and encourages greater participation in their own care. For caregivers, this data offers reassurance and a measurable way to track the patient’s functional status, often leading to better adherence to treatment plans and earlier intervention if activity levels suddenly decline.
By embracing daily walking and leveraging the power of connected health technology, patients and caregivers can work together to effectively manage chronic conditions, improve quality of life, and take a powerful step toward better health.
Tenovi offers an accurate, easy-to-use RPM devices and services that boost workflow efficiency and patient satisfaction and generate revenue. You can schedule a free demo and get ready to meet a better RPM experience with Tenovi.
