Houma takes to the street to ‘Fight Back’ against heart disease

In the Bayou Region, experts estimate nearly 40 percent of all deaths are caused from cardiovascular diseases.

On Oct. 28, locals can literally “take the steps” to help raise funds to support hear disease and stroke research and educational programs in the community by participating in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

The theme for this year’s walk is “Change tomorrow. Today.”

More than 500 Bayou area residents will gather at Southdown Plantation for the non-competitive, three-mile walk to exercise their hearts – physically and symbolically by donating time and raising money for a good cause.

Survivors of heart disease or stroke can be identified among the walkers by their red caps that read “Fighting Back.”

“Everyone knows someone affected by cardiovascular diseases like heart disease or stroke. Heart and blood vessel diseases are the leading killer of women and men in the United States and the second leading cause of death for our children,” said Robert Naquin, 2006 Walk chairman.

“That’s why it’s so important for all of us to participate in the Heart Walk and do our part to help save lives.”

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will start at 9:30 a.m. This year’s event includes a Kids Korner in addition to health screenings, food, refreshments and music.

Houma is just one of over 600 cities in the nation that participates in the American Heart Association event. In its 12-year history, walks across the country have raised more than $406 million for research and education. This research has yielded important discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine, and surgical techniques to repair heart defects, according to the AHA.

A local educational program that benefits the Tri-parishes is Search Your Heart, which is a faith-based program to encourage participants to change unhealthy lifestyles and develop hearthealthy habits.

For information about participating in the Heart Walk or any AHA program, call the association at 1-888-352-3824, extension 7722, or visit the Web site at http://www.bayouregionheartwalk.kintera.org.