Taking the stairs could protect your heart and help you live longer
A large-scale study involving nearly 500,000 participants found that regular stair climbing is associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. The researchers suggest that this simple, accessible activity is an effective way to improve heart health.
Why it matters
Identifying low-cost, accessible lifestyle interventions is vital for addressing the global rise in cardiovascular disease.
New research from the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital suggests that something as simple as choosing the stairs could contribute to a longer life.
The large study found that people who regularly climbed stairs had a substantially lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Frequent stair climbers were 39% less likely to die from heart-related causes and 24% less likely to die from any cause compared with people who climbed stairs less often.
Regular stair climbing was also associated with a lower likelihood of developing serious cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
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