Choosing the stairs over lifts could significantly lower the likelihood of premature death, research indicates.

The routine activity may also help shield against strokes, heart failure and heart attacks.

Opting for steps rather than escalators or lifts provides a practical, frequently neglected method to integrate physical activity into daily routines, particularly benefiting individuals who lack time to visit the gym, academics said.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) alongside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) reviewed five studies encompassing more than 450,000 individuals.

They discovered that people who consistently climbed stairs had a 39% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular problems and a 24% reduced chance of death from any cause compared to those who did not use the stairs as often.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, also suggest that stair climbing is linked to reduced rates of cardiovascular issues such as strokes, heart failure and heart attacks.

Dr Sophie Paddock, of the UEA’s Norwich Medical School and a cardiology specialist registrar at NNUH, said: "Unlike going to the gym or doing a workout, climbing the stairs is something you can easily fit into your day at home, at work or when you’re out.

"It’s a good option for people who don’t have much time or easy access to exercise.

"So if you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart.

"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."

One paper examined within the review indicates that climbing just six flights of stairs — the equivalent of 60 steps — can provide health advantages.

Professor Vassilios Vassiliou, of the UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide – with cases nearly doubling between 1990 and 2019.

"But it is largely preventable through a healthy lifestyle – including regular physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

"Taking the stairs is a practical and often overlooked way to build physical activity into daily life."

Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: "In the UK, every five minutes someone has a stroke and it is the fourth most common cause of death.

"For those who survive, many are left unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow.

"This research adds to our growing understanding of the link between physical health and stroke risk. It is encouraging that something as simple as taking the stairs could reduce the risk of early death and may also be linked to fewer cardiovascular health problems including strokes.

"We continue to remind people that as a preventative measure, exercise alongside a healthy diet, not smoking and monitoring alcohol intake can minimise the chances of having a stroke. Regularly monitoring blood pressure, the single biggest risk factor for stroke, is also important."