Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial & ethnic groups (CDC, 2024). Every 34 seconds, someone dies from this. On June 13, 2013, it was my Dad, at age 58. He dropped my 12 year old brother off at school and then had a massive heart attack while driving. I was 19, home from college for the summer, and our world was unexpectedly shattered.
An estimated 80% of cardiovascular disease IS PREVENTABLE through healthy diet, physical activity, avoiding tobacco & regular medical screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol & blood sugar). Times have changed somewhat, but health was not an educational priority. People did not have access to the information or the resources to even learn how to prioritize their health for themselves or their families.
We can change the narrative around heart healthy lifestyles. We can teach all children about healthy diets & movement. We can make this the norm.
I WALK for my Dad and all the other kids who are navigating this world after losing a parent too early. They did the best they could, with what they knew at that time.
