For years, it’s been thought that people who suffer from heart failure should rest and stay out of the gym. In fact, exercise used to be considered potentially dangerous for those patients. But those recommendations could be changing.

Two reports from a large study confirm the safety and medical benefits of supervised exercise for patients with heart failure. They even show how it can improve a patient's quality of life.

More than 2,300 people with heart failure took part in the study---some were given the usual care for heart failure, others were asked to exercise. The people in the exercise group took part in a supervised exercise routine which included using a treadmill and riding a stationary bike. Results show the exercise routine reduced death or hospitalization in heart failure patients by 15 percent. Researchers say the results are modest, but encouraging.

"Some people are starting to say ok, now we understand that there's some benefit to do ing the exercise as far as functional capacity and quality of life, and this study is now saying that it may have some benefit on reducing mortality and hospital costs or hospital visits," Gordon Blackburn of Cleveland Clinic said.

Researchers say the next step is to try and get these patients more involved with regular activity and give them the encouragement and direction to exercise appropriately.