(ANSA) – ROME, MAY 03 – Going up and down six to ten floors of stairs a day would increase longevity, also lowering the risks of heart attack, stroke and a series of heart problems. This is according to a new study that followed 480,000 people aged between 30 and 80 for 12 years, and was conducted at the universities of ‘East Anglia’, Norkolf and Norwich under the guidance of Sophie Paddock: “It was a It is surprising to observe that such a simple physical activity can bring benefits of such a high level”, confessed the researcher. The data that emerged reveal that those who climb between 6 and 10 flights of stairs every day have risks of premature death from any cause, generally lower than the average for those who choose the lift. The probability of death specifically from a heart attack is 39% lower among stair ‘followers’ and the risk of cardiovascular disease drops by 20%. “The moment you start climbing the stairs the body responds, the heart rate rises, the circulatory system activates and improves and the whole body is oxygenated and all this has a beneficial impact on health and longevity”, noted Manish Parikh, director of cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. “Climbing stairs is an extraordinary exercise that combines aerobics, muscular activity and resistance exercise”, commented University of California cardiologist Tamara Horwich.
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