Researchers from Tulane University in the United States say that lowering the risk of heart disease can be as simple as taking the stairs at work rather than the elevator.
Published in the Atherosclerosis scientific journal, the study reveals that ascending more than five flights of stairs daily could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 20 per cent.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), coronary artery disease, and stroke are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally.
The Tulane study utilised data from the United Kingdom’s Biobank collected from 450,000 adults. It assessed participants’ susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases based on family history, established risk factors, and genetic predispositions.
Researchers also surveyed participants about their lifestyle habits and frequency of stair climbing, with a median follow-up time of 12.5 years.
The findings revealed that daily stair climbing significantly lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially for those who were deemed less susceptible.
Lu Qi, a specialist in obesity at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, who co-authored the study, said there were potential benefits of stair climbing for individuals unable to undertake conventional physical activity.
"Short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing are a time-efficient way to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and improve lipid profiles," Dr Qi said.
"These findings underscore the potential advantages of stair climbing as a primary preventive measure for ASCVD in the general population."
The study not only highlights the efficacy of daily stair climbing but also suggests that even those at higher risk of heart disease can offset the risk through adopting this regular form of exercise.
“Stairs are accessible and affordable, every building with two floors or more has them making them a practical means of incorporating exercise into daily routines,” Dr Qi said.
“Even if you live in a single-story home, it’s likely there’s a public building or office block nearby where you can get your daily exercise.”
He said the research provided ground-breaking evidence for the protective effects of stair climbing against the risk of ASCVD, particularly for individuals with multiple ASCVD risk factors.
“With these findings, it appears that a simple flight of stairs could be the key to a healthier heart for many,” Dr Qi said.
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