Every 40 seconds, one American suffers from a cardiovascular illness, while another has a stroke.
As two of the biggest killers in our country, heart disease and strokes are health problems we need to address. But some people are already taking a stand against these illnesses. They’re helping save more lives, simply by going out for a walk – well, not just any walk, The Heart Walk organized by the American Heart Association, and you can join in, too.
Read on to learn more about this unique initiative and how you can participate in The Heart Walk in the city of Oceanside on Saturday, September 30, 2017.
A Giant Leap for Heart Health
What started as a small group of cardiologists has become a big deal in heart health.
As the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization in this area, the American Heart Association has supported countless people since its humble beginnings in 1924. Today, the organization has its own division devoted to stroke-related activities and employs over 3,000 staff, who serve 156 local areas throughout all 50 states. The charity boasts 22.5 million volunteers and supporters, which has helped provide vital public health education, inclusive community programs, and key research funding on heart disease and strokes.
But there’s always more that can be done to tackle cardiovascular illnesses and strokes. That’s why The Heart Walk is such an important addition to the American Heart Association’s initiatives.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Everyone can get involved and make a difference with The Heart Walk.
Even if you haven’t been physically active for some time, it’s still not too late to start training for the 2017 event here in San Diego. Heart disease and stroke survivors are also highly encouraged to participate, with get-togethers and red baseball caps provided for you to celebrate your recovery.
And, best of all, your training won’t just prepare you for The Heart Walk – it will help you maintain your own heart health, too. A national study concluded that moderate-intensity walking required the same energy and offered the same results as vigorous-intensity running. That means you could be reducing your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and perhaps even coronary heart disease with a safe stroll around your neighborhood.
Start with just a few minutes of walking a day and gradually build up to 30 minutes. You’ll be hitting the recommended target of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week in no time at all, which means you’ll be more than ready to take on the 3 miles of The Heart Walk.
It’s as easy as putting one foot in front of the other.
Take the Next Step
Join over a million people across 300 cities in the U.S. and support heart health and stroke research. Sign up for the San Diego event in the beautiful Balboa Park, or find The Heart Walk closest to where you live.
You don’t have to go it alone. Build a team of your friends and family to boost your motivation and the social side of this fun initiative. If you work at a larger organization, find out if your company has its own national team. Many companies use The Heart Walk as an exciting opportunity to support the American Heart Association, unite their staff, and improve heart health in their workplaces. It could be just the push you need to help a charitable cause and change your lifestyle for the better.
Once you’ve registered, you can set a fundraising goal and personalize your fundraising page. And with that, you’re all set to start receiving donations and finalizing your training. We’ll see you in Oceanside on Saturday, September 30, 2017!
For more information on heart health and tips for your walking training, contact Tri-City Medical Center today and speak to our team of knowledgeable staff.