Evaluating the Impact of Stair Climbing on Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Physical inactivity causes a significant burden from cardiovascular disease worldwide. As sedentary behaviours become increasingly prevalent, there is a growing imperative to explore practical strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between physical activity in the form of stair climbing and cardiovascular risk.

A systematic search of the PubMed and Embase databases was conducted from inception until 8 April 2025. Randomised controlled trials or observational studies including stair climbing as a variable were included. The outcomes of interest were cardiovascular mortality and incidence of cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke and heart failure. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Review Manager (RevMan) software.

The database search yielded 1873 studies, out of which, nine studies with 480,479 patients were included in the analysis. The pooled analysis of five studies and 455,619 patients revealed that stair climbing was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-0.79, p = 0.0002). Further analysis of these studies revealed that stair climbing was also associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.62-0.94, p = 0.01). Morbidity was also associated with stair climbing.

Physical activity in the form of stair climbing is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. These findings highlight the importance of promoting everyday activities, even within the workplace and home, to foster healthier lifestyles and mitigate the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases.

PROSPERO identifier no. CRD42023490479.