A new study from Tulane University, published in Atherosclerosis, challenges the popular advice of walking 10,000 steps a day and suggests that climbing a mere 50 steps or more than five flights of stairs daily could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by 20%.
The study, led by Dr. Lu Qi, a professor at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, leveraged data from the UK Biobank, encompassing information from 450,000 adults.
The investigation assessed participants’ susceptibility to cardiovascular disease considering various factors, including family history, lifestyle habits, genetic predispositions, and established risk factors, with a median follow-up time of 12.5 years.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), coronary artery disease, and stroke are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality.
The study discovered that consistent stair climbing, especially among those less susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, notably diminishes the risk of such ailments.
It highlighted the importance of short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing as a time-efficient way to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid profile.
Dr. Lu Qi emphasized the findings, showing the substantial potential benefits of stair climbing as a preventative measure against ASCVD, especially for those who struggle to meet current physical activity recommendations.
It suggests a practical, low-cost, and accessible form of exercise that can be seamlessly integrated into daily routines, benefiting overall cardiovascular health.
Conclusions
The research unveils the protective effects of stair climbing against the risk of ASCVD, particularly advantageous for individuals with multiple ASCVD risk factors.
It underlines the significance of integrating simple, high-intensity activities like stair climbing into daily lifestyles, presenting it as a viable, easily accessible alternative to more time-consuming exercises for improving heart health and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
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The research findings can be found in Atherosclerosis.
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