Simple lifestyle tweak ‘reduces your risk of early death by boosting heart health’

CLIMBING the stairs could add years to your life, according to a study.

Taking the apples and pears instead of riding a lift or escalator counts as a mini workout.

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Data from half a million 35 to 84-year-olds found stair-walkers had a 39 per cent lower risk of dying from heart disease.

They were also 24 per cent less likely to die young of any cause and had fewer strokes and heart attacks.

Scientists say the extra few minutes of physical effort here and there add up to a real health boost.

Study author and NHS medic, Dr Sophie Paddock, from the University of East Anglia, said: “If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart.

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“Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts and short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate into daily routines.”

Taking the stairs is "overlooked" as a form of exercise

Brits should get two-and-a-half hours of exercise every week but one in three of us do not hit the target.

Two thirds are overweight and an estimated 7.6million people have heart disease.

The NHS says even a brisk walk, mowing the lawn and dancing count as moderate physical activity.

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And Dr Paddock, presenting her research at the European Society of Cardiology conference said simply walking up stairs is a “practical, accessible and often overlooked” way to work out.

Exercise protects the heart and lungs by making them stronger and better at pumping oxygen into the muscles and organs, meaning they don’t work as hard in daily life.

Dr Paddock added: “We would encourage people to incorporate stair climbing into their day-to-day lives.

“Take them whether you are at work, at home or elsewhere.

“Our study suggested that climbing more stairs leads to greater benefits, but this still needs to be confirmed.”