Regular stair climbing linked to lower risk of heart-related death, study finds

LONDON — A joint study by the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in the United Kingdom has found that regularly climbing stairs may reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and mortality from any cause. The analysis showed that people who routinely used stairs faced a 39% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 24% lower risk of death from any cause compared with those who did not. They also had lower odds of suffering a heart attack, stroke or heart failure. The researchers reviewed data from nine high-quality studies covering approximately 480,000 participants aged 35 to 84, followed for an average of 14 years. Women made up 53% of the group, which included both healthy individuals and people with a history of heart problems. Prof. Vassilios Vassileiou of UEA's Norwich Medical School said cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with cases roughly doubling between 1990 and 2019, and that regular physical activity is central to prevention. Sophie Paddock, a cardiologist at the hospital and the medical school, said stair climbing can be integrated into daily routines at home or work and that even short bursts of activity produce measurable health benefits, with gains rising as the number of floors climbed increases. The researchers cautioned that stair climbing may not be suitable for people with mobility or joint problems and called for further studies using wearable technology to identify optimal recommendations.