By stairs or by elevator? Cardiologists answer

Climbing stairs without using an elevator is an easily accessible form of physical activity that is often neglected by people of all ages. But in vain.

Cardiologists have explained how climbing stairs affects life expectancy – it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. These are the findings of the study, the results of which are presented at scientific congress European Society of Cardiology ESC Preventive Cardiology 2024, writes scientific publication Medical Xpress. Dr Sophie Paddock, study author from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk, recommends:

“If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the elevator, choose the stairs because it will help your heart. Even short bursts of physical activity have health benefits, and short stair climbs should be an achievable goal to integrate into daily tasks.”

Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable through exercise. But the problem is that almost one in four adults in the world does not reach the recommended level of activity. Climbing stairs is a practical and easily accessible form of it that is often neglected.

The authors of the scientific study conducted a meta-analysis of nine studies, which included almost 500 thousand participants – both healthy people and those with a history of heart attack or peripheral artery disease. The subjects' ages ranged from 35 to 84 years, and 53% of the participants were women.

The scientists found that people who used the stairs had a 39% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (heart attack, heart failure and stroke) and a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who took the elevator. Sophie Peddock points out:

“Based on these results, we're encouraging people to incorporate stair climbing into their daily lives. Our research shows that the more stairs you climb, the more health benefits you'll reap. Whether you're at work, at home, or anywhere else, climb On the stairs!”.

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