We all know doing regular exercise is good for the body and mind, but a new study shows just how much it can help your wallet too.

A new study primarily looked at heart disease patients and found that those who did not undertake a regular exercise routine were more likely to spend $2,500 more a year on healthcare costs compared to those that did exercise.

The study lead by Khurram Nasir, the director of the Center for Healthcare Advancement & Outcomes and the High Risk Cardiovascular Disease Clinic at Baptist Health South Florida in Coral Gables, looked at data from a 2012 national survey of nearly 26,000 people and grouping participants by cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

The findings showed people who did not have heart disease but had one of the risks and did physical exercise, were more likely to spend $500 a year on healthcare than those not exercising.

“Even among an established high-risk group such as those diagnosed with heart disease or stroke, those who engaged in regular exercise activities reported a much lower risk of being hospitalized, [having] an emergency room visit and use of prescription medications,” stated Nasir.

The American Heart Association recommends a minimum 30 minutes of moderate physical 5 days a week, or alternatively more intense exercise to be performed 3 days a week for optimum cardiovascular health. Nasir and other healthcare workers hope the message of more exercise will encourage people to get out and active more.

“The message to the patient is clear: there is no better pill in reducing the risk of disease and healthcare costs than optimizing physical activity.” 

Details of the study were published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.