Linn County Heart walk held on Sunday with one purpose, to raise awareness of stroke and heart diseases

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Since 2019, the Linn County Heart walk was the first walk held in person in eastern Iowa and in the nation. It started at 9 a.m. on Sunday at Kirkwood Community College.

Attendants had the opportunity to choose whether they’ll walk one or three miles. Photos of heart disease survivors and former Heart Walk ambassadors were displayed during the walk.

The event’s goal is to raise public awareness of heart disease and stroke through organizing fundraisers for research as well as state-wide initiatives to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

This year’s focus was on mental health, according to walk director Tyler Wright.

“We’re really stressing, especially with this last year, mental health. Meditation, making sure people are getting enough sleep at night. Just those different things that can really contribute to your overall health and fighting heart disease and stroke,” Wright said.

Outside of the walk, several others activities were held in the parking lot like promotion for healthy foods, fictional character meet and greets and kids obstacle course.