Local executive Michael Dowling, president and CEO of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System will lead Long Island residents, survivors and businesses on the road to reduce disability and death from Long Island's No. 1 and No. 3 leading causes of death --- heart disease and stroke. Michael Dowling is serving as chairman of the American Heart Association's 2005 Long Island Heart Walk. Mr. Dowling recently had the privilege of speaking at the American Heart Association's Heart Walk CEO kickoff breakfast held at North Hills Country Club.

As chairman of the Heart Walk, Michael Dowling, will oversee the recruitment and organizational activities for the upcoming Heart Walk. Featuring the theme: "Walk. Change tomorrow. Today." the Long Island Heart Walk returns to Nassau Community College on Sunday, Oct. 2.

This year Heart Walk is presented nationally by Subway. Oxford Health Plans, LLC, A United Healthcare Company is the Tri-State presenting sponsor. Local sponsors include Pegalis & Erikson, LLC, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Astoria Federal Savings Bank and media sponsor WBAB 102.3.

"The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System is proud to be participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk while supporting one of our country's most important missions --- to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke," said Dowling. "I also became involved with this year's Heart Walk because it promotes the importance of physical activity. With America facing an obesity epidemic, I think it's important to show young people that exercise is important and it can be fun."

Regular aerobic physical activity increases your fitness level and capacity for exercise. It also plays a role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and is linked to cardiovascular mortality. Regular physical activity can help control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce blood pressure.

Diseases of the heart are the country's No. 1 cause of death; stroke is No. 3. Together these cardiovascular diseases kill more than 930,000 Americans each year. Major cardiovascular diseases continue to be Long Island's leading cause of death, claiming the lives of more than 9,600 people each year, including more than 5,600 women. Join survivors, families, friends and company teams and more than 7,000 expected walkers on Sunday, Oct. 2 to help fight heart disease and stroke.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, join Michael Dowling, survivors of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, and more than 7,000 expected Long Island residents. For more information about the Long Island Heart Walk, call the American Heart Association at 777-8447 or visit the Web at www.heartwalk.kintera.org/longisland.