Everyday habit linked to dramatically lower risk of dying from heart disease - Fox News

Researchers led by the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital found that people who climbed stairs had a 39% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause than those who didn't.

Stair climbers were also less likely to develop major cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure, according to the analysis.

The study drew on data from more than 480,000 people across nine studies, selected after reviewing nearly 1,900 studies, with a median follow-up of 14 years and participants aged 35 to 84, including both healthy people and those with a history of heart problems.

Vassilios Vassiliou of UEA's Norwich Medical School noted that cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death, with cases nearly doubling between 1990 and 2019.

The findings show an association rather than proof of causation, but researchers highlighted stair climbing as a low-impact activity that works against gravity, engaging multiple muscle groups for both cardiovascular and strength benefits.

One large study suggested climbing about six flights of stairs daily may offer the greatest benefit; researcher Sophie Paddock said more stairs generally meant greater benefits, though even small changes had a measurable impact.