Latest statistics show stress and lack of physical activity are rising, putting heart health at risk
As people across the nation navigate higher levels of stress and spend more of their day sitting, finding time to move can feel challenging. Less than half of adults and fewer than one in five children in the U.S. get the recommended amount of physical activity needed for heart health, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart & Stroke Statistical Update. That’s why the Association invited communities nationwide to gather on Wednesday, April 1 for National Walking Day.
The American Heart Association in New Hampshire and New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte celebrated National Walk Day today by presenting a National Walking Day proclamation before embarking on a brief walk with Association volunteers and staff.
Josh Benton, Senior Vice President of The Executive Health and Fitness Center and American Heart Association in New Hampshire Board Chair, introduced the Governor and commented on the importance of daily fitness for heart health.
“For decades, the American Heart Association has championed the importance of physical activity in communities across the country. That’s why they created National Walking Day more than a decade ago”, said Benton “We know that walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes a day can boost mood, improve sleep and reduce the risk of heart disease. Today offered us a chance to move more together – whether it is a short walk around the block or time outdoors with friends, each step can help ease stress, refresh your mind, and support a healthier, happier life.”
National recommendations, supported by the American Heart Association, call for children to get at least an hour of physical activity each day—the latest statistics show that less than 19 percent of children in the U.S. achieve that. And less than half of adults get the recommended 150 minutes or more of weekly physical activity.
Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to stay active. Research shows it not only lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease but also supports mental well-being:
- A study recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found engaging in at least 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, including brisk walking, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by 17%.
- Research recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open found adults who walked at least 5,000 steps a day had fewer symptoms of depression than those who did not.
For information about getting active and staying healthy, visit the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good™ initiative at heart.org/movemore.