Hundreds walk for heart health in Spfld

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Upwards of 1,000 people came to Springfield's Forest Park to help combat heart disease. Men, women and children fought heart disease by taking part in Sunday's fund raising Pioneer Valley Heart Walk.

22News met up with people who suffer from heart disease and stroke, or who've experienced the disease taking loved ones from them. "My wife had a stroke a year ago in January and she has aphasia to inability to speak. Slowly, slowly, slowly, she's working her way back," said Jack Taylor of Springfield.

One woman told 22News her husband and her father both died from heart disease. "Well it certainly made me a lot more aware of your mortality, and a lot more aware of taking better care of yourself. Especially If you have a family history, my dad had a heart attack, my uncles all had heart attacks," said Dina Pinger of Goshen.

22News Storm Team Meteorologist Adam Strzempko hosted Sunday's heart walk reflecting the 22News commitment to the American heart Association's Pioneer Valley Chapter.

Heart disease and stroke, this area's number one and number three killers.