Lattimore joins mayor for walk for heart health

Ex-Gamecock star running back Marcus Lattimore joined Mayor Steve Benjamin and members of City Council for a World Heart Day walk Thursday.

The walk was designed to draw attention to heart disease in partnership with the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention. Heart disease is Columbia’s leading cause of death, organizers said. Strokes are the fourth-leading cause of death in the city.

The walk began at 11 a.m. at City Hall and extended to the State House and back, organizers said. Columbia residents were invited to participate and could get free cholesterol tests in the lobby of City Hall.

A heart-healthy lunch, also in the lobby, followed.

Research has demonstrated that walking as little as 30 minutes per day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 40 percent, according to a city news release.

Clif LeBlanc

This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Lattimore joins mayor for walk for heart health."