The American Heart Association will hold its annual Bergen Passaic Heart Walk at Express-Scripts Campus in Franklin Lakes, NJ on Sunday, October 1st. Heart Walks are the signature community event for the American Heart Association’s Healthy For GoodTM movement, which encourages Americans to lead healthier lives by delivering science-based recommendations, tools, tips and motivation to build healthier behaviors.
Taking the first step toward being “Healthy for Good” can begin with pet ownership. Research shows that not only are dog owners more likely to exercise, they are also likely to have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels due to being more active. Pets also play a role in providing social and emotional support to their owners, which is an important factor in helping you stick with a new habit or adopting a new healthy behavior. In a study of more than 5,200 adults, dog owners engaged in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners, and were 54 percent more likely to get the recommended level of physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of physical activity a week, not only to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, but to help manage stress, sleep, and improve overall health and well-being.
Our canine competition brings together Bergen and Passaic families while supporting the continued fight against heart disease and stroke. The dog who raises the most will be the official “Top Dog” for the 2017 Bergen Passaic Heart Walk and will be featured on social media! Grab your leash and man’s best friend and join us for a fun heart healthy day for the entire family!
To sign up your dog, create a team or walk as an individual, visit www.bergenpassaicheartwalk.org, call 201.518.1961 or email [email protected].