Not exercising may be more deadly than smoking, study finds

Just how important is exercise if you want to live a healthy, longer life? New research finds it is very easy to get rid of high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease and tuxedo – and in some cases, not exercising appears to be even worse.

It is a finding that Dr. Wael Jaber, MD, a Cleveland Clinic and Senior Cardiologist of the study, says is surprising, "since the focus has always been on these risks to improve mortality. But we found that the worst risk is just under our nose: being less physically fit, "he told CBS News.

For the study, the researchers badyzed more than 122,000 patients who underwent exercise testing at Cleveland Clinic from 1991 through 2014.

The results showed that not only was exercise increased risk of death. In fact, the highest levels of aerobic fitness have been linked to the greatest survival benefits, especially in older patients age 70 and over.

"We thought that we would see a signal for benefit in some groups or subsets of patients," Jaber said. "What we got is an advantage with every age group, both bades, and in individuals with and without heart disease. "

This finding contradicts several studies, including atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease.

However, the Cleveland Clinic study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Open Network, found that extremely fit patients in the study lived the longest.

Cleveland Clinic was previously undergoing stress tests at Cleveland Clinic and was broken up into five performance groups: elite, high, above average, below average and low. Elite performers were defined as having fitness in the top 2.5 percent by age and gender. They demonstrated fitness levels comparable to endurance athletes.

In the group of participants over the age of 70, elite performers had nearly 30 percent reduced risk of mortality compared to high performance.

Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City said the study is "impressive."

"Its size, its outcomes, and its future impact is enormous," he told CBS News. "We are made and meant to walk, run, exercise, get moving. By doing so we regenerate new fresh cells, cleanse out toxins, and rebuild broken parts. "

Jaber said the study opens many possibilities to treat sedentary lifestyle as an illness. This can be done by providing specific prescription for our patients rather than the generic 10K steps a day, He said. "It seems the 10K steps is the basic minimum but is always better."

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.

The study authors note that their research has a wide population, and individual patients should always check with their doctor before starting an exercise program.