ISLAMABAD: A new study suggests that taking at least 50 steps by climbing stairs daily can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, surpassing the need for 10,000 or 7,000 steps a day. The research, conducted by Tulane University in Louisiana, USA, and published in the journal Atherosclerosis, indicates that climbing more than five flights of stairs daily could lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 20 percent.
Reducing Heart Disease Risk
Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), coronary artery disease, and stroke, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Dr. Lu Qi, a professor at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, explained that short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing offer a time-efficient way to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and improve lipid profiles, especially for individuals who find it challenging to meet current physical activity recommendations.
Using data from the UK Biobank, gathered from 450,000 adults, the study assessed participants’ susceptibility to cardiovascular disease based on factors such as family history, established risk factors, and genetic markers. The researchers also inquired about participants’ lifestyle habits and the frequency of stair climbing. The findings showed that climbing more stairs daily was particularly effective at reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals who were less predisposed to the condition.
Dr. Qi noted that daily stair climbing could “effectively offset” the increased risk of heart disease in more susceptible individuals. He emphasized that the study provides novel evidence of the protective effects of stair climbing, especially for those with multiple risk factors for ASCVD.