MURRAY, KY - More than 250 Calloway County residents are expected to take positive steps to improve their health on Saturday, October 20 when they participate in the American Heart Association’s Calloway County Heart Walk at the CFSB Center at Murray State University. The annual event, which aims to raise $50,000 this year to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers, begins at 9:30 am, with opening events beginning at 8:30 a.m.
 
The non-competitive, 1- to 3-mile walk includes teams of employees from local companies, along with friends, family members and survivors of all ages.

Activities will be available, including music and a survivor memorial. Throughout the day, heart healthy snacks and information will also be available.

The Calloway County Heart Walk is a component of the 'My Heart. My Life.' behavior platform, the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking national movement that calls on all Americans to create and embrace an overall healthier lifestyle in order to improve cardiovascular health. This new platform is an important component of the American Heart Association’s sweeping national goal: to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent and to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by the year 2020.

Nearly 70 percent of Americans do not engage in regular physical activity. This inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease – our nation’s No. 1 killer which is largely preventable through a healthy lifestyle. The Calloway County Heart Walk provides an opportunity for every participant and team to put the mission of the American Heart Association and the My Heart. My Life. program into action.

The Calloway County Heart Walk and the My Heart. My Life. healthy behavior platform is nationally sponsored by SUBWAY® and Jenny Craig, and locally sponsored by Murray Calloway County Hospital and Primary Care Medical Center.

For information on participating in the Calloway County Heart Walk, call the American Heart Association at 502-371-6008 or visit www.heartwalk.kintera.org/callowaycountyky.