2008 Start! Fairfield County Heart Walk
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Kathy Silard
Chairperson
2008 Start! Fairfield County Heart Walk |
Earlier this year the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control reported the promising news that heart disease and stroke death rates dropped by 25 percent since 1999. Unfortunately, the rate of physical inactivity in this country did not keep pace: declining by only 2.5 percent during the same timeframe. Seventy percent of Americans don't get enough exercise, citing lack of time and motivation. In short, Americans are not getting proper amounts of exercise to combat these health issues. If this trend continues, some of the gains we've made toward a more heart-healthy
America could be lost.
To further the concern, research indicates that American jobs have become dangerously more sedentary, and employees work 164 more hours per year than they did 20 years ago. This sedentary behavior, along with poor eating habits at work, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
For corporate America, the trend affects more than employees' waistlines. It also affects the bottom line, because unhealthy employees cost more and contribute less. Every year, healthcare costs continue to rise, becoming an increasing burden for business. CEOs across America consistently report that healthcare is their top cost pressure. Nearly 70 percent of healthcare costs are for preventable illnesses. Motivating sedentary employees to get up and moving boosts staff morale, increases productivity and reduces healthcare costs.
To combat this, the American Heart Association created the groundbreaking new Start! movement to work with both employees and employers to create a culture of walking before, during or after the workday. Through Start!, the Start! Heart Walk has been transformed from simply its signature walking event into the American Heart Association's "mission in action."
Kathleen Silard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Stamford Hospital, is serving as the chairperson of the 2008 Start! Fairfield County Heart Walk. Presented nationally by Subway Restaurants, Healthy Choice and AstraZenica, the Start! Fairfield County Heart Walk heads to Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk on Sunday, October 19th. Stamford Hospital is proudly serving as the local presenting sponsor of the Start! movement in Fairfield and Westchester Counties
Heart disease and stroke continue to be the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Nearly 142 million American adults - 66 percent of U.S. adults - are overweight. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and is a comparable risk to other modifiable risk factors such as obesity, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking.
Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day will help people reduce these major, modifiable risk factors. Studies show that for every hour of regular vigorous exercise, like very brisk walking, you could gain two more hours of life. Walking is easy, safe and doesn't require any equipment.
There are many ways that you can make walking a part of your daily routine. Learn more about the Start! movement or register today for the Start! Fairfield County Heart Walk by calling (203) 404-3181 or visiting www.fairfieldcountyheartwalk.org.