Vascular Health Step Challenge
Walking is instrumental in keeping the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our body healthy - especially for those patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). The Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation (SVSF), a champion of vascular research and disease prevention led by national experts in vascular care, is challenging you to get moving with Vascular Health Step Challenge!
What is the Vascular Health Step Challenge?
The SVS Foundation challenges you to walk 60 miles throughout September to represent the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. The Vascular Health Step Challenge highlights the importance of vascular health (your arteries + veins) and promotes healthy habits everywhere. You can walk individually or with a team.
This virtual challenge is part of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month. Did you know that 10 million Americans have PAD, but 70% don’t know about it? Walking is one of the BEST ways to improve and maintain your vascular health.
By participating in the challenge, every step you take helps spread the word about PAD + raise $60,000 to fund vascular research, education, and awareness initiatives. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues to join your team and make a difference together.
How does it work?
The Vascular Health Step Challenge will take place on the Charity Footprints platform. When registering for the campaign, participants will be able to link their current fitness tracker to the platform so steps can be logged throughout the month of September.
Compatible fitness trackers
| Apple Watch |
Fitbit |
| Garmin | Google Fit |
| Misfit | Strava |
I don't have a fitness tracker
If you do not have a fitness tracker you can still participate. You can connect your smartphone to your Charity Footprints account or enter your steps manually. Learn more about connecting your devices and manually logging steps here.
Why Walking?
Adding regular walking into your daily routine can help make a big difference in your overall health. Take a look at the benefits of walking listed below and then get out and get moving.
- Regular brisk walking can help you maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat (Mayo Clinic)
- Walking can aid in preventing or managing various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes (Mayo Clinic)
- Walking is one of the best exercises a PAD patient can do to reduce their symptoms (NHS UK)
- Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place (Harvard)
- An American Cancer Society study found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or fewer per week (Harvard)
- Stress Reduction: Walking is the perfect way to zone-out and rid yourself of any daily
- stress. Plus, the exercise-induced endorphins released will leave you feeling better than ever by helping to improve your mood. (Cancer Research UK)
What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
PAD is a chronic disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries to the legs. This buildup typically occurs gradually. If allowed to progress, blood flow in that artery can become limited or blocked all together.
PAD is relatively common, affecting more than 10 million people in the U.S. It is more common in people who are 65 or older, but can occur at nearly any age. Smoking; high blood pressure; high cholesterol or triglycerides; diabetes; kidney failure; and obesity increase your risk for PAD.
