On August 6, 2025, Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi, took to LinkedIn to remind the public of a simple but transformative tool for heart health: brisk walking.

Calling it the “most effective, life-saving lifestyle habit,” he recommended at least 30 minutes of brisk walking daily to protect against heart attacks, strokes, and metabolic diseases.

Dr. Seth’s advice aligns with extensive global evidence that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity improves cardiovascular outcomes.

Multiple studies confirm that brisk walking can lower LDL cholesterol, improve blood pressure control, regulate blood sugar levels, and enhance overall vascular function.

India currently faces a growing cardiovascular crisis, with non-communicable diseases accounting for over 60% of total mortality.

Sedentary behavior, especially in urban environments, has compounded the risk. According to the ICMR–INDIAB study, physical inactivity is a major modifiable factor contributing to early-onset heart disease among Indians.

Dr. Seth’s preventive stance comes at a time when clinical practice is increasingly focused on early lifestyle interventions.

“Brisk walking is not just a routine—it is medicine for the heart, lungs, and brain. Walk before you need medicine,” he wrote, highlighting its role in public health strategy.

The message is clear: physical activity must be a national health priority. As heart disease continues to dominate India’s disease burden, experts like Dr. Seth are urging both policymakers and the public to act on prevention, not just treatment.

Walking, it seems, may be the simplest prescription with the highest impact.