Stair Climbing Associated With Reduction in Cardiovascular, All-Cause Mortality

THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Stair climbing as a form of physical activity is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs.

Sophie Paddock, M.B.B.S., from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between physical activity in the form of stair climbing and cardiovascular risk. A total of nine studies with 480,479 patients were included in the analysis.

The researchers found that based on a pooled analysis of five studies with 455,619 patients, stair climbing was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality (relative risk, 0.61). In further analysis of these studies, there was also a significant reduction in all-cause mortality in association with stair climbing (relative risk, 0.76). An association for morbidity with stair climbing was also observed.

“Unlike going to the gym or doing a workout, climbing the stairs is something you can easily fit into your day at home, at work or when you”re out,” Paddock said in a statement. “It”s a good option for people who don”t have much time or easy access to exercise.”

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