Here's What It Means If You Get Winded From Walking Up The Stairs
HuffPost
Most people have been out of breath after climbing the stairs — but is that normal?
If you’ve ascended a flight or two of stairs, you likely know the feeling of being out of breath once you reach the top.
It’s a common occurrence among folks of all ages and fitness abilities. But is it something to worry about?
Experts told HuffPost there are a few points to keep in mind when it comes to this phenomenon. While it can be normal, it can also be cause for concern or even a fitness challenge to try and improve. Here’s what to know:
It can be perfectly normal — going up stairs is harder on your body than walking on a flat surface.
Feeling out of breath after walking up a flight of stairs is “what we call a normal physiological response,” said Dr. Katherine Pohlgeers, a family medicine and sports medicine doctor at University of Louisville Health. “Because you’ve got this increased demand on your body, you’ve got increased work — you’ve got increased oxygen demand and ventilatory requirements.”
