Work

Slow walking speed and risk of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and detection of CVD risk is a key part of routine care. Slow walking speed is strongly correlated with CVD events in the general population. Aim To see whether there is an association between reduced walking speed and increased CVD incidence in people with T2DM. Design & setting Systematic review of studies of people with T2DM. Method We searched studies in which usual walking speed was recorded, and participants were followed up for subsequent fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. PubMed Central, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar were searched in December 2024. Studies were screened by two independent reviewers. Studies reporting walking speed or comparable indices and CVD outcomes in T2DM were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity of study populations prevented meta-analysis. Results Out of 1281 studies identified, 53 full texts were retrieved and four were included, which were all of good quality. These involved 132 967 individuals with diabetes from the USA, the UK, and Japan. Mean study follow-up was 3–14 years. All four studies assessed walking speed by self-reported questionnaire and reported significant associations between reduced walking speed and increased CVD risk with risk or hazard ratios ranging from 1.18–5.88 ( P <0.001–0.0001). Conclusion This is the first systematic review to indicate an association between reduced walking speed and increased CVD incidence in T2DM. This association is seen across diverse populations and settings. Further research in T2DM could explore whether increasing walking speed reduces CVD risk.

Source: BJGP Open

DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2025.0162

Authors: Richard Baskerville, Fiona Reid, Pippa Oakeshott, Rebecca Fortescue

Institutions: Oxford Brookes University, King's College London, University of London, City St George's, University of London

Language: English

Topic: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,226