A new study conducted by the University of East Anglia in collaboration with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has revealed that regularly climbing stairs may prolong life. The study found that this simple habit significantly reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, as well as death from any other cause. According to results published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, people who climbed stairs regularly were 39% less likely to die from heart problems, and 24% less likely to die from any cause, compared to those who did not climb stairs frequently, and they were also less likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure. Professor Vassilios Vassiliou, from Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia, said: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, with cases nearly doubling between 1990 and 2019, but it is largely preventable through a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, a heart-friendly diet, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. He added that climbing stairs is a practical and often overlooked way to introduce physical activity into the daily routine, noting that their team wanted to understand how this daily habit could save lives. After reviewing nearly 1,900 studies, the researchers analyzed data from more than 480,000 participants from nine high-quality studies, with an average follow-up of 14 years, and included the age group from 35 to 84 years, and about 53% of the participants were women, and the category included healthy participants and those with a previous history of heart problems. Dr. Sophie Paddock, from Norwich Medical College and a cardiologist at the hospital, confirmed that they found a consistent association between climbing stairs and a lower risk of cardiac death and overall death, noting that climbing stairs is different from going to the gym, as it can be easily integrated into the daily routine at home or work, and it is a good option for those who do not have enough time or easy access to exercise, and that even short periods of activity have beneficial health effects. Previous research has indicated that a few minutes of climbing stairs several times a week can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and lower cholesterol, and one study suggested that climbing about 6 flights of stairs per day may provide the greatest benefit, although researchers say that the optimal dose needs further investigation, with Paddock confirming that the higher the number of flights, the greater the benefits, and even small changes had a noticeable effect. The findings support broader evidence that short periods of physical activity can deliver significant health benefits, and Vassiliou points out that encouraging people to climb stairs in workplaces, public buildings and homes could form part of a broader strategy to reduce heart disease at a population level, especially since more than a quarter of adults around the world do not meet recommended activity levels. However, researchers warn that climbing stairs may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with mobility or joint problems, and point to the need for future research using wearable technology to accurately measure activity and determine optimal recommendations.