Washington DC (US) October 1 : Forget about getting in 10,000 steps a day. A study by Tulane University suggests that taking at least 50 steps and rising stairs every day could significantly lower your risk of heart disease.
According to the study, a climb of more than five flights of stairs daily could lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20 percent.
The leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide are atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and stroke.
The study utilizing UK Biobank data collected from 450,000 adults determined participants' susceptibility to cardiovascular disease based on family history, established risk factors and genetic risk factors, and surveyed participants about their lifestyle habits and frequency of stair climbing. The average follow-up time was 12.5 years, the company said in a statement.
The study found that if you're less susceptible to heart disease, you're more likely to be less susceptible to cardiovascular disease, which was the result of climbing more stairs daily. In more susceptible individuals, more susceptible people may be able to cope with increased risk of heart disease by simply stair climbing, Qi said.
Qi commended the public's availability of stairs as a cost-effective way to incorporate exercise into daily routines.
China's central bank has said it is conducting a market analysis to determine whether it is a good place to invest, Qi said.