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Some walk for fathers, mothers, grandparents or friends. Some walk for their children. Some walk for themselves. But they are united by a common goal — the fight against heart disease and stroke.

The 2006 Metro Jackson Heart Walk is one way the American Heart Association (AHA) is working to reduce death and disability caused by heart disease and stroke.

On Oct. 15 at One Jackson Place in downtown Jackson, more than 1,000 Metro Jackson residents will participate in the American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk — and take a big step toward a stronger, healthier life.

The non-competitive walk — which begins at 1 p.m. — raises funds to support heart disease and stroke research and educational programs in the Metro Jackson community. Teams are comprised of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages. Participants who are heart disease survivors will wear red caps and stroke survivors will wear white caps.

Heart disease is the leading killer of Mississippians; stroke is third, mimicking national rankings. Together, these and other cardiovascular diseases kill more than 910,000 Americans each year and cost the nation over $403 billion in direct and indirect costs.

"Everyone knows someone affected by cardiovascular diseases like heart disease or stroke," said Hinds County Sheriff Mac McMillin, chair of the 2006 Heart Walk. "That's why it's so important for all of us to participate in the Heart Walk and do our part to help save lives."

At this year's Heart Walk, the AHA wants to get Mississippi moving by introducing a new initiative called Start!, to reverse the trend of sedentary lifestyles. Americans are working longer hours in less active jobs. This trend is not only detrimental to workers' health, it is also costing employers billions of dollars each year. Start! is a way for both individuals and their employers to reap the benefits of physical activity.

Physical activity has many proven benefits. Research shows that you can gain about two hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular exercise, even if you do not start until middle age. Brisk walking for 30 minutes a day can reduce risk of stroke, bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and high blood pressure. Physically active individuals save an estimated $500 a year in healthcare costs. Employers can save up to $16 for every $1 spent on wellness and health promotion in the workplace.

"The American Heart Association wants to be known as the organization that got America walking," said AHA regional director Stacy Leaumont.

The fund-raising goal for this year's event is $275,000. The Heart Walk, a national AHA event that will take place in about 500 cities this year, has raised nearly $600 million for research and education since the first annual Heart Walk in 1994.

AHA-funded research has yielded many important discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

The annual success of the Heart Walk is due in part to Jackson-area businesses such as the University of Mississippi Medical Center, BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi, Central Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Hospital, St. Dominic Hospital, AmFed, and Horne CPA.

SUBWAY? Restaurants is the national presenting sponsor of the AHA's Start! campaign that includes the Heart Walk.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the local presenting sponsor for Start! For information on participating in the Heart Walk, Metro Jackson residents may call the AHA at (601) 321-1200 or visit jacksonheartwalk.kintera.org.



Elaina Jackson is the communications director for the American Heart Association in Mississippi.

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