Member-only story
Choose Stairs for a Healthier Life
Climbing a few flights improves heart health and longevity, a new study shows
The next time you bypass the stairs, think again. A new study reveals that climbing stairs can reduce the risk of heart disease and help you live longer.
“If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart,” Sophie Paddock, MD, Professor at the University of East Anglia UK and chief investigator in the study, said in a statement.
There’s good reason for people to heed the advice. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all US adults have some type of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, accounting for 695,547 deaths — 20% of the total — in 2021. Globally, around 18 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2019.
The good news is experts agree that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable for most people through exercise and healthy eating. The bad news is, despite this, only 24% of US adults meet the recommended targets for both aerobic (150 minutes weekly) and muscle-strengthening (twice weekly for 30 minutes) exercise.
Since stairs are easily accessible compared to fancy gym equipment, and climbing them improves heart health…
