Jacksonville, AL –The JSU press department announced via Brett Buckner, that heart disease is the number. number one cause of death for adults around the world. To bring awareness to the issue and lower the number of cases of illnesses, JSU is hosting the annual Northeast Alabama Heart Walk on campus on April 22.
It is the first time that JSU hosts Heart Walk on campus. Heart Walk, which usually is held in Gadsden or Anniston. This type of event on campus provides a unique educational experience, says the Dr. Christie Shelton, JSU provost and senior vice-president for academic affairs. She serves as the in 2023 as the Heart Walk chair.
“While heart issues are typically more prevalent in older people but young people aren’t completely unaffected,” Shelton said. “My wish is that the awareness is raised at an early age so that young adults can make healthier choices to ensure that their later years are less affected through heart problems and similar ailments.”
The health of the heart is a personal concern of Shelton. Shelton. In the year 2019 her husband was suffering from what appeared to seizure-like symptoms. After many rounds of testing as well as procedures it was found that he suffered from a blockage of 95 percent in the artery that runs through his circumflex.
“Later the similar year, he suffered an attack of the heart and it was also bizarre since he had no EKG or heart rate changes.” stated Shelton, who is a registered nurse as well as JSU’s previous nursing dean. “The following year, he was diagnosed with a second blockage. He also suffered from two coronary heart attacks.”
Thankfully , her husband recovered and returned to work, however Shelton was able to recover, but Dr. Shelton learned from the event how vital education and knowledge are for everyone of all ages.
“Health issues that arise in our later years start with our choices in our youth,” she said. “Over time, our body reacts negatively to absence of exercise or diet, poor sleep, and other poor choices. If we could reach an awareness level where we understand that it’s crucial that we prioritize nutrition and health from the beginning on, we’d have a reduction in heart disease of this, I’m in certainty.”
The Heart Walk will benefit the American Heart Association, which has set a local goal of $140,000 for this year.
“Funding the work that is the American Heart Association is very important to the lives that are changed through our advocacy and research,” said Heidi Darbo director of development for the region in the West Alabama and Northeast Alabama American Heart Association. “The Heart Walk is much more than just a fundraising event. It’s a way of encouraging your colleagues, friends and family members to join with each other to fight the number. number one killer of women and men.”
The activities will start with a start time of 8 a.m. in the Pete Mathews Coliseum parking lot prior to the walk around campus begins around 9 a.m. There will be one-mile and three mile routes available, and participants are able to walk the length of time they like. The finishing line will have events like a photobooth, CPR demos, a balloon stomp and acknowledgement of people who have suffered from heart disease.
Participation in The Heart Walk is free, and there is no minimum amount for participation. Sign up at www.gadsdenheartwalk.org.
