A New Study: Climbing Just Five Flights of Stairs Daily May Reduce the Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes
Experts recommend walking 10,000 steps daily, an exercise that can offer numerous benefits for physical and mental health, particularly heart health. However, many may find this challenging due to daily work demands.
Nevertheless, some researchers believe there may be an alternative exercise that could be more effective in enhancing heart health, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The newspaper highlighted a recent study indicating that climbing just five sets of stairs daily (where one set equals 10 steps) might decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The benefits appeared more significant for those who completed ten rounds or more, according to the findings from a decade-long study involving 400,000 Britons.
Climbing stairs provides a short burst of high-intensity exercise, similar to jumping or other athletic activities. Examples of such activities include running, swimming, and brisk cycling.
Researchers from the University of Tolin monitored the health of 458,860 individuals in the UK for an average of 12 and a half years. Participants were asked about the frequency of stair climbing at the study's commencement and again after five years.
Throughout the study, 39,043 individuals suffered from arterial sclerosis, a condition where arteries narrow, making it difficult for blood to flow through.
The results, published in the journal Atherosclerosis, showed that participants who climbed at least five sets of stairs daily were 3% less likely to develop arterial sclerosis compared to those who did not climb stairs. Volunteers who climbed at least six sets daily were 16% less likely to be at risk.
Researchers concluded that climbing more than five sets of stairs (around 50 steps) was associated with a reduced risk of diseases that could lead to heart attacks and strokes.
In addition to boosting heart health, experts say that stair climbing burns twice the calories as walking, while also strengthening the lungs and muscles.
Dr. Lu Chi, the study's author, stated: "Short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing provide an effective way to improve cardiovascular fitness... especially among those unable to meet current physical activity recommendations," highlighting that the results "shine a light on the potential benefits of stair climbing" as a preventative measure against arterial sclerosis.
However, it's worth noting that the study was observational and does not imply that stair climbing definitively reduces participants' risk of heart and vascular diseases. Nevertheless, the results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that even simple exercises can contribute to improved health.
