Start! Heart Walk  

November 14, 2009

Saturday 8:30am

Detail:

Why is this event important to the Washington community?

The fact is that heart disease and stroke are the no. 1 and no. 3 killers of people in the United States today. Heart disease kills more people annually than the next five causes of death combined - and this is a shocking statistic to many.

The District of Columbia is ranked as the 44^th worst state in terms of prevalence of Cardiovascular diseases which include conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. It is the 49^th worst for coronary heart disease. And it's not just adults - DC's children have some of the highest rate of obesity in the nation. So clearly, we have our work cut out for us.

The Start! Heart Walk, the American Heart Association’s premier fundraiser, gives people an opportunity to improve their health through walking while helping fund the fight against heart disease and stroke.  Money raised from the Start! Greater Washington Region Heart Walk goes towards cardiovascular disease education and research.

What can attendees expect to find at this year’s Heart Walk?

The Start! Greater Washington Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s mission in action. This annual celebration promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun, family and pet-friendly environment. More than 10,000 walkers are anticipated to participate in this one or 2.9 mile walk on The National Mall.

Festivities begin at 14th Street NW between Madison & Jefferson Drives at 8:30 am. There will be informational tents, health screenings, refreshments and entertainment. At 9:30 a special program begins on the main stage as well as the fitness warm up. The walk steps off at 10.  

How does someone get involved?

I encourage everyone to come out and support the American Heart Association and the many heart attack and stroke survivors who will be participating. Bring your friends, family and even your dog! Join the fight against heart disease by signing up for the event and enroll your company in the Start! walking program.  Please call 703-248-1715 or visit StartGreaterWashington.org.

How much money do you expect the Heart Walk to raise this year?

We are hoping to raise 2 million dollars at this year’s Heart Walk!

Funds raised by the Heart Walk go towards lifesaving cardiovascular research as well as community outreach and education programs.

• Research funded by American Heart Association  has yielded: Artificial Valves, CPR, Clot-Busting Drugs, Pacemakers, Angioplasty, Bypass Surgery, Medicines to Control High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. It has also led to important discoveries like the link between smoking and heart disease and to food labeling guidelines.
• The funds we raise provide support to investigators at critical points in their careers. Four AHA-funded research scientists have been awarded Nobel Prizes. The funds also go to community outreach efforts to educate the public about heart disease, stroke and the effects of childhood obesity.

What is something most people don’t know about heart attacks and stroke?

What most people don’t know is that research shows that 80 percent of cardiac events could be prevented if people make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking.  

• Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day will help people improve their circulation; reduce stress and anxiety; increase enthusiasm and optimism; improve muscle tone and strength; lower cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure; and promote weight loss.

 

• Studies show that for every hour of regular vigorous exercise, like very brisk walking, you could gain two more hours of life.