NEW YORK, Oct 1, (Agencies): Are you searching for a simple way to enhance your heart health? It appears that the key could be as straightforward as choosing the stairs! Recent research reveals that regularly ascending stairs might be a hidden weapon for your heart against a condition known as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which can lead to narrowed and hardened arteries due to plaque buildup, potentially causing heart diseases and strokes.

A team of researchers at Tulane University delved into the health records of nearly 459,000 adults, tracking them for approximately 12.5 years to uncover the connection between stair climbing and heart health. They divided participants based on their stair-climbing frequency and monitored the development of heart disease and related conditions. Remarkably, those who climbed more than five flights of stairs daily exhibited a 20-percent lower risk of developing ASCVD compared to those who didn't climb stairs.

In essence, the more stairs you ascend, the better it is for your heart health.

Think of your risk of heart disease as a score in a game—with lower scores indicating lower risks. If you don't climb any stairs, you start with a score of 1. However, by ascending stairs one to five times a day, you can lower your score to 0.97! For those who climb six to ten times, it's 0.84! And for those ascending 11–15, 16–20, and 21 or more times daily, the scores are 0.78, 0.77, and 0.81, respectively. Thus, more stair climbing equals a lower score and a healthier heart.

The study also discovered that individuals who initially climbed stairs but then stopped faced a 32-percent higher risk of developing ASCVD. Therefore, the key is to maintain this habit consistently to continue reaping its heart-healthy benefits.

In our busy lives, it's essential to find efficient ways to maintain our health. This study highlights the simplicity and accessibility of stair climbing as an exercise that can significantly impact our heart health positively, whether at home, at work, or on the go. Opting for stairs over elevators can become a game-changing habit for maintaining cardiovascular health.

Dr. Lu Qi, a professor at Tulane's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, who is the corresponding author of the study, emphasizes, "Short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing are a time-efficient way to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid profile, especially among those unable to achieve the current physical activity recommendations." These findings underscore the potential advantages of stair climbing as a primary preventive measure for ASCVD in the general population.

Consider making it a daily goal to climb more than five flights of stairs, which is roughly equivalent to 50 steps, to fortify your defense against severe heart diseases and strokes. Remember, consistency is key. Start incorporating stair climbing into your routine, and let's commit to a healthier heart. Whether or not you have a family history of heart disease, taking the stairs could be your straightforward and effective path to a longer and healthier life.