CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Medical Center will raise heart health awareness with a walking event at the hospital on Wednesday.
The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the hospital's walking track on the corner of East Redstone Avenue and Brookmeade Drive, behind the hospital.
"We are not raising any funds, we are just raising awareness to encourage people to walk for at least 30 minutes a day," said Alicia Booker, NOMC’s community programs coordinator.
"We are having it around lunch time to encourage people to (regularly) spend a portion of their lunch walking," Booker said.
Participants are encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and support the American Heart Association’s event.
One in two men and one in three women reportedly are at risk for heart disease, which is the No. 1 medical cause of death. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
In addition to eating healthily and exercising, the hospital promotes creating walking plans and forming walking groups for encouragement.
The hospital’s track is open for public use, Booker said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Medical Center hosts walking event on April 3