Cardiovascular disease is the nation's number one killer, claiming nearly a million American lives each year.

At this year's Heart Walk in Duluth, hundreds of Northland residents laced up their walking shoes today to put an end to those statistics.

The American Heart Association hosted their 2008 "Start" Heart Walk this year to get people moving into action for their cardiovascular health and towards awareness.

"Northland residents coming out to celebrate success and lifestyle changes and honor survivors," emphasizes Karen Einisman with the American Heart Association.

The purpose of the start movement is to get folks walking one person at a time, "so that we can get the message of how important to get that message out there," Einisman adds.

The event inspires walkers to "start" on a path toward a stronger, healthier live for themselves and their community.

Regional Director of the American Heart Association says their job is to get the word out there, "we always have to let people know to get their numbers, to watch their risk factors, and that sort of thing and take care of their heart because it's the only one you have."

Eld says that the process of heart health is a series of baby steps.
Just 30 minutes a day of mile physical activity can go a long way.

Money goes to research and education for CV disease heart disease and stroke research and prevention.

The NewsCenter's own Michelle Lee emceed the day's events.