Sanford residents to take steps to improve health in Heart Walk

SANFORD, August 27, 2011 (Press-News.org) More than 300 Sanford area residents are expected to take steps to improve their heart health Saturday, September 24, 2011, when they participate in the Lee County Heart Walk to benefit the American Heart Association. The event will be held at Central Carolina Hospital, 1135 Carthage Street, in Sanford.

The annual event, which raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, begins at 7:00 a.m. with heart healthy screenings. Free lipid panels will be available through 10 a.m. (fasting is recommended), and other screenings will continue through 12 noon. A Kid Zone and other entertainment activities will be held from 8:00 a.m. until noon, and the Heart Walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a group warm-up.

The non-competitive, three-mile walk includes teams of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages. There will also be a one-mile option for those who need a shorter course.

"Brisk walking for as little as 30 minutes a day has proven health benefits, such as providing increased energy and circulation, as well as reduced risk of heart disease," said Jeanette Wood, RN, Lee County Heart Walk Event Chair. "The Heart Walk is designed to help participants understand this critical message, join with others, and generate a renewed commitment to heart-healthy living through walking."

Each day, nearly 2,400 Americans die from a cardiovascular disease. That's an average of one death every 37 seconds. A leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke is lack of physical activity. Research has also found that individuals may gain two hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular, vigorous exercise they do.

"We want people to know that it is never too late to start down a healthier path," said Mrs. Wood. "Our hope is that the Heart Walk will help jump start a culture of physical activity among participants and increase passion for supporting the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association."

Heart Walk participants can participate in educational activities, health screenings, activities for kids, and fun demonstrations with the aim to:
• Provide an opportunity to honor survivors and individuals whose family and friends have been impacted by heart disease and stroke.
• Give survivors hope that they can influence their own and their loved ones' destinies by connecting risk factors to a personal loss.
• Inspire participants to make changes in their daily behavior that reduce risk for heart disease and stroke, such as increasing physical activity and making heart-healthy choices a part of daily life.
• Inspire participants to make a long-term commitment in the fight against heart disease and stroke by volunteering for the American Heart Association.
• Celebrate individuals and companies that have made significant changes to lead a heart-healthy life (e.g., by being more active, losing weight, etc.) or encourage employees to lead a healthier life.
• Highlight the successful fund-raising efforts of individuals and companies.

For information on participating in the Heart Walk, call the Jeanette Wood at 919-774-2117 or Stephanie McKinney at 919-708-4608 or visit http://www.triangleheartwalk.org/leecountyheartwalk.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke - America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

About Central Carolina Hospital
Central Carolina Hospital, part of Tenet North Carolina, serves the medical and health care needs of Lee County and surrounding communities. The 137-bed acute care hospital offers a wide range of programs and services, including emergency services, outpatient rehabilitation programs, diagnostic radiology, inpatient and outpatient surgery, maternity services, and cardiology services including cardiac catheterization, echocardiography and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.

To learn more about Central Carolina Hospital, visit http://www.centralcarolinahospital.com.

CONTACT:
Margaret Minuth
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Office: 919-774-2194; Mobile: 919-353-2060
Email: margaret.minuth@tenethealth.com