Heart Walk pumps at Mountain’s Edge

More than 5,000 participants are expected to help support the American Heart Association's efforts in Southern Nevada by attending the 2007 Las Vegas Start! Heart Walk Oct. 13, hosted by the Mountain's Edge master-planned community in the southwestern Las Vegas Valley.

The event will take place in the 3,500-acre master-planned community's Exploration Park.

Registration for the Heart Walk begins at 8 a.m. with a warm-up at 8:45 a.m. The walk itself starts at 9 a.m.

Participants can sign up in advance, or enroll on the day of the walk at Exploration Park.

The park is located inside the entrance on Buffalo Drive just south of Blue Diamond Road.

The event features activities and entertainment, along with a fun fair. Educational pavilions on-site at the park provide information programs offered by the American Heart Association, including Healthier Generation (Children's Heart Information), Heart Disease, Stroke, Go Red for Women, and Survivors.

The association has set a goal to raise more than $465,000 to help fight cardiovascular diseases and stroke, with the 2007 Heart Walk serving as a key event in helping the organization meet its objective.

"Cardiovascular disease is our nation's No. 1 killer and physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke," said Jason Belland, director of business development for the association.

"Events like the Heart Walk are critical in our efforts to build awareness about the power of prevention, when it comes to maintaining cardiovascular health."

Funds raised by the event will support heart and stroke research as well as public and professional education programs.

Throughout the years, research funded by the American Heart Association has yielded discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

The event aims to elevate awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in Clark County, and across the country.

Nationally, every 33 seconds someone dies from cardiovascular disease and someone suffers a stroke every 53 seconds.

"Seventy percent of Americans don't get enough exercise, blaming lack of time and lack of motivation," Belland said.

"A primary goal of the Heart Walk each year is to educate people so that they understand what a tremendous and positive effect walking can have on their health and how easy and enjoyable it is to take a walk."

Money raised in Las Vegas is used to fund life-saving research and educational programs aimed at fighting heart disease and stroke. In 2006-2007, the American Heart Association funded more than $12 million in cardiovascular and stroke research in the Western States Affiliate alone. The Western States Affiliate includes American Heart Association offices in California, Nevada and Utah.

Start! is the American Heart Association's groundbreaking national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking.

Promoting physical activity through workplace walking programs can help employees reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

When fully developed, Mountain's Edge is planned to have four elementary schools, one of which is already open, two middle schools and a high school.

The community will have a fire station, shopping centers, restaurants and commercial office space.

To learn more about the master-planned community, visit the development's award winning Home Search Café, located at the community's entrance on Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road, or visit mountainsedge.com.

The Café is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, and can be reached at 898-5777.