My Heart. My Life.
American Heart Association
Walking Clubs
Start or join a club centered
on physical activity!
America’s health crisis isn’t just the result of poor
eating choices. We also have become a sedentary
nation that just doesn’t exercise enough – putting
millions at risk of heart disease or stroke.
One way the American Heart Association is addressing
this problem is by introducing a community Walking Clubs
program in the fall of 2011. This will get people moving,
reduce their risk of deadly diseases and help the American
Heart Association reach its new 10-year goal: To improve the cardiovascular
health of all Americans by 20 percent and reduce deaths from cardiovascular
The Cardio Crisis
disease and stroke, by the year 2020.
Instances of cardiovascular disease in the U.S.
This goal is a major challenge because less than 1 percent of our nation’s
population meets the American Heart Association’s criteria for “ideal health.1”
have reached epic proportions.
• 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular
Put another way, virtually all Americans need to improve their heart health.
disease each day – or one death about every
One in three Americans actually has at least one type of cardiovascular
39 seconds.
disease. Increasing physical activity is critical to reversing these statistics. The
American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity
physical activity each week (or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity). Many
• More women die of heart disease than the
next four causes of death combined, including
all forms of cancer.
people don’t get nearly that much, even if it’s broken into increments of 10 to
15 minutes of exercise.
• 90 percent of women have one or more risk
factors for developing heart disease.
The Walking Clubs program – part of the American Heart Association’s new
My Heart. My Life™. initiative to improve the nation’s health and wellness –
encourages people and makes physical activity easier and more accessible.
• One in three American adults is
estimated to have one or more types of
cardiovascular disease.
1
As defined by guidelines published in the scientific journal Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
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How American Heart Association Walking Clubs Work
Studies show that people follow exercise routines more successfully
if they do them as group activities. American Heart Association Walking
Clubs will help more people get their recommended daily physical
activity and have fun. Among many benefits, Walking Clubs can:
• Encourage people to connect with other walkers who have shared
goals, lifestyles, schedules, hobbies, etc.
• Create a social experience that helps hold people accountable
• Motivate people when they’re feeling down
• Support people as they push to reach personal goals
• Encourage others to start other healthy habits such as eating more
fruits and vegetables
Defining Ideal Health
Far-Reaching Resources from an Established
Health Leader
Less than 1 percent of Americans have ideal
The American Heart Association’s credibility, scientific expertise and
cardiovascular health, which is defined as the
nationwide relationships make the organization uniquely suited to reach
presence of seven health factors and
communities across the country. As the nation’s oldest and largest
lifestyle behaviors that support heart health,
according to a statement published in
voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease
the scientific journal, Circulation: Journal of
and stroke, the association has long standing relationships with people,
the American Heart Association.
organizations and policy makers locally and nationally. And, as a leader
in the scientific community, all American Heart Association efforts are
Research has demonstrated that a 50-year-old
man or woman in optimum heart health has a life
expectancy of at least another 40 years —free
based on leading medical and scientific information from scientific
councils, evidence-based practice guidelines and scientific publishing.
of heart diseases and stroke. For this reason,
the importance of early detection and prevention
cannot be overstated.
Get Started on the Path to Better
Heart Health Today!
Nationally Supported by
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