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A team of American and British scientists conducted a comprehensive study on the benefits of climbing stairs for heart health. Researchers analyzed data from 458,860 adults in the UK Biobank, covering 12.5 years. The survey accounted for factors such as family history, genetic risk, and high blood pressure. The team examined atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which includes ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke—both leading causes of death worldwide.
The study found that regular stair climbing reduced the risk of heart disease across participants, especially among people without existing heart conditions. Participants who stopped regularly climbing stairs after five years had a 32 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who continued climbing.
Climbing stairs raises heart rate, helps regulate blood pressure, and strengthens the heart, Science Alert reported.
A Simple Workout for the Heart and Body
The study confirmed the many benefits of stair climbing for overall well-being. It’s a free form of exercise that requires no gym or special equipment. You can do it in any weather, which makes it easy to fit into daily life.
It’s one of the most versatile exercises. As Tulane University professor Lu Qi notes, ‘Short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing are an effective way to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid profiles.’
Doctors have long recommended physical activity to prevent cardiovascular disease, but few studies have looked closely at stair climbing’s direct effect on heart health.
This isn’t the first study to highlight stair climbing’s advantages. Previous research has linked the activity to a lower risk of cancer and improved lung function. Now there are even more reasons to skip the elevator next time.
The results of the study were published in the journal Atherosclerosis.
