How Exercise Can Reduces Health Costs

Staying active and trying to be healthy can do more than just improve your physical condition: It may fatten your wallet. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, people who exercise at least at minimum recommended levels can save hundreds or thousands of dollars per year in healthcare costs. Previous studies have shown exercise can reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke and improve diabetes and high blood pressure. This new study shows that in addition to benefits to health, savings as a result of needing less healthcare may add up significantly over the course of a year. People with cardiovascular disease who exercised at recommended levels, 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity five days per week or 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity three days per week, had healthcare costs more than $2,500 lower than those not meeting the recommendations.