The 72 steps to a better heart

Take the stairs, not the lift, to reduce your risk of heart disease, says Bryan Hubbard

Forget the elevator: Take the stairs every day. Your cardiovascular system will thank you, and you may even live a few years longer.

Climbing stairs reduces your risk of dying from heart-related problems by around 39 percent, and you’ll be 24 percent less likely to die from any cause compared with people who always opt to take the lift (elevator) or escalator.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia have assessed the impact of stair-climbing on our health by analyzing data from nine studies, which had tracked 480,000 people for an average of 14 years. Ages of the participants ranged from 35 to 84 years.

One of the studies suggested that walking up six flights of stairs a day—that’s around 72 steps—is the sweet spot, but the researchers emphasize that any amount is better than none at all.

“Unlike going to the gym or doing a workout, climbing the stairs is something you can easily fit into your day at home, at work or when you’re out. It’s a good option for people who don’t have much time or easy access to exercise. So if you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart,” said Sophie Paddock, one of the researchers.¹

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