Stair Climbing Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk, Study Finds

Choosing to take the stairs instead of a lift or escalator could significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death, according to a major review of scientific studies. The research, led by teams from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, found that regular stair climbers had a 39 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular problems and a 24 percent reduced chance of death from any cause compared to those who rarely or never used stairs.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs on August 13, 2026, are based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine high-quality studies. The analysis pooled data from more than 480,000 participants, ranging in age from 35 to 84 years, with 53 percent being women. The study population included both individuals with no known cardiovascular disease and those with a previous history of heart problems. Participants were followed for a median of 14 years, allowing researchers to assess long-term associations between habitual stair use, cardiovascular events, and mortality.

The review indicated that stair climbers also faced lower risks of major...