New Delhi, Oct. 30 -- Walking 10,000 steps a day seems to have become a universal fitness goal. When you check your smartwatch or scroll through social media, you might compare your step count with friends and feel guilty if you fall short of this number. But what if you're told this may not be the magic number it is meant to be? A recent study says fewer steps can also provide important health benefits, especially for older adults. Researchers have found that taking just 4,000 steps a day can improve heart health and reduce the risk of mortality.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at older women in the United States. It examined how step counts affect longevity and heart health. The results were su...