Take the stairs every day to lower your heart disease risk

Walking upstairs every day could reduce your risk of heart disease and dying prematurely.

People who walk up a flight of stairs at least six times a day are 39 per cent less likely to die from heart-related problems and 24 per cent less likely to die from any cause compared with people who don’t climb stairs as often, or who always opt to take the lift or elevator.

For people who think that going to the gym is a step too far, walking up a flight of stairs a few times a day is a practical alternative, say researchers from the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

They analysed data from around 1,900 studies, which had tracked the health of 480,000 people for an average of 14 years.  Ages of the participants ranged from 35 to 84 years.

Although climbing the stairs six times a day is the optimum, 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.

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