Climbing Stairs Daily: A Simple Solution to Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Climbing at least 50 steps per day, equivalent to five flights of stairs, is associated with a more than 20 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study based on surveys of nearly 460,000 adults. Stair climbing was found to be beneficial for everyone surveyed, but particularly for those not already at high risk of heart disease. The activity is free, accessible, and can be easily incorporated into daily routines. While the study cannot prove cause and effect, the association is significant enough to suggest that stair climbing leads to a healthier heart.