Start Walking to Stop Heart Disease, AHA Urges
April 16 is National Start! Walking Day, with the American Heart Association urging the U.S. public to take a hike to fight heart disease. It is the No. 1 killer in the United States, says AHA, adding that physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease and stroke. Walking reduces the risk.
Take a 30-minute walk during the day, the association advises, and make a personal pledge to live a longer, healthier life. Walkers can get involved in AHA's goal to reach a million miles and dollars by the end of this one day.
"Did you know that for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise we do -- like brisk walking -- we can live two hours longer?" it asks. For more information, visit www.americanheart.org.