A first of its kind study focusing the systemic benefits of exercise for patients with COPD in reducing mortality risks, overcoming related comorbidities and extending their life expectancy found positive results. The study in a cohort of 483,603 adults, of which 32,535 had spirometry-determined COPD, led by the research team from National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei and National Health Research Institutes,  Zhunan, found that fully active physical activity helped patients overcome most of the mortality risks, decrease heart rate, and achieve a life expectancy close to that of patients without COPD.  

About 65% of deaths related to COPD are attributed to extra-pulmonary disease and the increased heart rate caused by COPD. The abbreviation of life expectancy of around 6 years by COPD can be mostly reversed by fully active exercise, especially in female patients, the study observed. These findings clearly indicate that prescribing regular exercise to patients with COPD is quite important and needs to be incorporated into the care bundle.