Heart disease affects millions of Americans, but it impacts our veteran community in uniquely profound ways. Veterans experience higher rates of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke compared to the general population — a reality shaped by years of service, physical strain, and the invisible burdens carried long after uniforms are hung up.

Many veterans face chronic stress, sleep disruption, environmental exposures, and the long-term effects of deployments and high‑intensity training. These factors don’t always show up in medical records, but they show up in the heart — increasing risk and complicating recovery.

The impact extends beyond the individual. Heart disease affects veteran families, caregivers, and loved ones who walk alongside them through diagnoses, treatments, and lifestyle changes. When one veteran faces heart disease, their entire support network feels the weight of it.

That’s why the TGH Veterans Resource Group walks.

We walk to honor those who served. We walk to support those still fighting for their health. We walk to raise awareness of the unique cardiovascular challenges veterans face. We walk to build a future where fewer military families experience the heartbreak of preventable loss.

Every step we take is a step toward stronger hearts, stronger communities, and stronger support for those who have given so much to our country.