Study Links Regular Stair Climbing to Lower Risk of Death

A large-scale analysis of existing research has found that people who regularly climb stairs have a substantially lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and from any cause compared to those who do not. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, suggests this simple, everyday activity could be a practical strategy to improve public health.

The team’s findings were published on August 12, 2026, in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs. After reviewing nearly 1,900 studies, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis of data from nine high-quality studies encompassing more than 480,000 adults. The participants, aged between 35 and 84, were followed for a median period of 14 years. The study population was 53 percent female and included both healthy individuals and those with a history of heart conditions.

The analysis revealed that regular stair climbing was associated with a 24 percent lower risk of premature death from any cause and a 39 percent lower risk of death specifically from cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, stair climbing was linked to a lower likelihood of developing major...