It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide: cardiovascular disease. Among the most common risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure, diabetesobesity or a diet rich in saturated fats and salt and physical inactivity. To combat this last risk factor, many specialists point out that every action counts.
This is, in essence, the message put forward by researchers at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. The latter were interested in the benefits of climbing the stairs, compared to the elevator on the cardiovascular health. They noticed that walking up the stairs reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases by 39%. Their results are presented at the congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Climbing the stairs would reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 39%
To arrive at these conclusions, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis, that is, they analyzed data from previous research on the subject. In total, this represented a panel of 480,479 participants. Data on cardiovascular health were available, as well as stair use habits. Data from people who frequently used the stairs were compared to those who preferred the elevator.
The authors noted that people who took the stairs had a 39% lower likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease. “Stair climbing was also linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attackheart failure and cerebrovascular accident (CVA)”, note the researchers in a press release. In addition, the authors noticed that participants favoring stairs had 24% lower risk of death “all causes combined”.
Cardiovascular disease: researchers call for fighting against a sedentary lifestyle
Although researchers recognize that new studies must be carried out to confirm the benefits, they nevertheless encourage using the stairs on a daily basis. “If you have a choice between taking the stairs or the elevator, take the stairs because it will help your heart,” said in the press release, Dr Sophie Paddock of the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation, in the United Kingdom. According to her, “Even short bursts of physical activity have beneficial impacts on health, and short sessions of stair climbing should be an achievable goal to incorporate into daily routines.”
This is not the first time that researchers have highlighted the benefits of even light physical activity to take care of your heart. Last March, a study Australian study estimated that walking around 10,000 steps per day was associated with a reduced risk of death and cardiovascular disease, regardless of the amount of time remaining sedentary.
Source :
- Climb stairs to live longer – European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 26/04/2024
