Taking the Stairs Linked to 39% Lower Risk of Heart-Related Death, Study Finds

Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator may be linked to a meaningfully lower risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new analysis from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, published on August 12, 2026.

The researchers reviewed nearly 1,900 studies before pooling data from more than 480,000 participants across nine high-quality studies, with a median follow-up of 14 years. Participants ranged from 35 to 84 years old, including both healthy people and those with a prior history of heart problems, and women made up 53 percent of the study population.

People who climbed stairs regularly had a 39 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 24 percent lower risk of dying from any cause compared with those who climbed stairs less often. Regular stair climbing was also associated with a lower likelihood of developing major cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

"Taking the stairs is a practical and often overlooked way to build physical activity into daily life," said Prof. Vassilios Vassiliou of UEA's Norwich Medical School. Dr. Sophie Paddock, a cardiology specialist registrar at the hospital and co-author, said climbing stairs is something people can fit into their day at home, work or while out, making it a good option for people without much time or easy access to a gym.

One large cohort study included in the analysis found that climbing roughly six flights of stairs a day may provide the greatest benefit, though the researchers cautioned that more work is needed to determine the optimal amount. They also noted that stair climbing may not be appropriate for people with mobility limitations or joint conditions. The findings were published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs.