Take steps to a healthier heart

WALKING up four flights of stairs quickly without stopping shows your ticker is in good shape, research suggests.

Scientists got 165 patients with known or suspected heart disease to exercise on a treadmill until exhaustion.

After resting for 20 minutes they climbed 60 stairs. Those who did it in less than 45 seconds had the best rate of oxygen consumption. But those who took more than 90 seconds were three times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

Dr Jesus Peteiro, of Spain’s Coruna University Hospital, said: “If it takes you more than 90 seconds to ascend four flights, consult a doctor.”

The findings were presented to the European Society of Cardiology.