American Heart Association Celebrates National Walking Day [VIDEO]

Today is National Walking Day, a call-to-action from the American Heart Association for Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Steve Gassner, Chairman of the Utica AHA Board of Directors. says they're encouraging people to get out and walk.

Gassner says walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity and can effectively improve heart health.

The Heart Association says studies have suggested that moderate physical activity has many proven benefits for an individual’s overall health, such as lowering blood pressure, increasing HDL or “good” cholesterol and controlling weight.

They say all these changes help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers.

Officials with the Boilermaker Road Race and the Heart Association took part in a ceremonial walk along Court and Varick Streets, ending at the Boilermaker Finish Line.