One simple tweak to your daily habits could slash your risk of heart disease by a staggering 39 per cent.
Opting for the stairs over the lift has been linked with superior cardiovascular health and increased longevity, according to researchers.
A new study has found that regular stair climbing is associated with a 24 per cent reduction in the risk of death from any cause and a 39 per cent decrease in the risk of dying from heart disease.
Presented at the European Society of Cardiology's Preventive Cardiology conference in Athens, Greece, the research suggests that even short bursts of activity like taking the stairs can significantly lower the chances of premature mortality.
Dr Sophie Paddock, from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust, based in Norwich, advised: "If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart."
"Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts, and short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate into daily routines."
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In the UK, physical inactivity is linked to one in six deaths, as per a report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. There's evidence to suggest that consistent exercise can diminish the risk of early death and heart disease, reports Bristol Live.
The NHS advocates for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. The study under discussion examined data from nine studies, which included over 480,000 participants aged between 35 and 84 years.
The study encompassed both healthy participants and those with heart conditions, with women making up 53 per cent of the group. The research not only linked stair climbing to a decreased risk of early death but also to reduced chances of heart-related ailments such as heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.
Dr Paddock commented: "Based on these results, we would encourage people to incorporate stair climbing into their day-to-day lives. Our study suggested that the more stairs climbed, the greater the benefits but this needs to be confirmed. So, whether at work, home or elsewhere, take the stairs."
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