Every step above 2,200 steps a day reduces risk of early death, study finds

Experts found the lowest risk of early death was among people who took 9,000 to 10,500 steps a day. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Walking up to 10,000 steps a day lowers the risk of heart disease and early death, even when spending the rest of the day sedentary, research suggests.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that every extra step above 2,200 steps a day – up to about 10,000 – reduces these risks, regardless of how much of the remaining time is spent sitting.