Overview
- The pooled review published Friday, Aug. 14, found people who regularly climbed stairs had a 39% lower risk of cardiovascular death and a 24% lower risk of death from any cause.
- Researchers combined nine high-quality studies covering more than 480,000 adults aged roughly 35 to 84 with a median follow-up of about 14 years.
- Stair climbing was also tied to lower incidence of major events such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure in several cohorts.
- The evidence is observational and relied largely on self-reported stair use with varying definitions, so authors warn the link does not prove causation and note possible confounding.
- Clinicians and public-health experts say stair climbing is a low-cost way to add brief vigorous activity for many people but may not be safe for those with mobility or joint limits and more research is needed to define a safe, effective daily 'dose.'