Heart Walk & Run Aims to Up Awareness, Funds

Last year, the Northwest Arkansas American Heart Walk and 5-K Run raised $140,000. The nonprofit organization is shooting for even more success this year.

Registration for the fifth annual local running of the event begins at 7:30 a.m. on April 6 at the University of Arkansas’ Walker Pavilion. The facility is on Razorback Road, immediately south of Reynolds Stadium.

About 26 percent of the money raised locally is spent on fund raising and management, but 29 percent goes to cardiovascular disease-related research and 38 percent goes to public and professional education and training.

Since 1924, the AHA has funded more than $1 billion in cardiovascular research nationally. In 2001, it funded nearly $400,000 worth of the same in Arkansas.

About 60 corporate teams are expected to participate. The team that raises the largest donation will be awarded a $4,000 Medtronic automated external defibrillator and AED training for their workplace. The AED has proven to help save lives when used early during heart attacks.

Heart disease and stroke survivors are encouraged to participate. For more information visit the AHA’s Web site at www.americanheart.org/heartwalk.

Heart Fact: In an average company, 25 percent of the employees have high blood pressure, 25 percent smoke, 52 percent have cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher, and 25 percent are not physically active during leisure time.