Climb Stairs for a Longer Life

Climbing stairs in short bursts can promote heart health and may cut the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by nearly 40 percent.

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Sometimes a small lifestyle change can make a significant difference in health. A meta-analysis recently presented at a European Society of Cardiology meeting found that climbing stairs may cut a person’s risk of death from any cause by about one-fourth. In a statement presenting the results, the authors advised people to avoid elevators in favor of taking the stairs.

“If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart,” study author Dr. Sophie Paddock, of the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and the Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust, said in the statement. “Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts, and short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate into daily routines.”

Study Findings

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for most ethnic groups in the United States. Yet the meta-analysis authors note that it is largely preventable through lifestyle practices, such as exercise. However, more than one in four of the adult population in the world do not reach the recommended goals of physical activity per week, the authors noted.