Turns out, you don’t need to hit that mythical 10,000-step goal to stay healthy. New research suggests that just 7,000 daily steps can significantly lower your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, dementia, and cancer. It’s a more achievable target for anyone who’s ever felt discouraged by the bigger number.

Forget the old 10,000-step mantra—new research suggests hitting just 7,000 daily steps could slash your risk of dying from cancer by 37% and lower overall mortality by nearly half. The study reinforces that modest movement adds up, proving you don’t need perfection to see real benefits.

A simple scan called coronary artery calcium testing can spot dangerous plaque buildup in your heart's arteries—giving doctors a clearer picture of your risk for a heart attack. But despite its potential to save lives, this test isn't being used as much as it should be.