SEATTLE - Washingtonians across the state will pack a pair of walking shoes in the workbag for National Start! Walking Day on Wednesday, April 7. The annual American Heart Association (AHA) program aims to get people walking for 30 minutes a day, with at least some of that walk time happening during work breaks or lunch.

Exercise physiologist Steve Sanders, a spokesman for the AHA, says regular exercise is a key factor in cardiovascular health.

"Help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is the nation's number-one killer of both men and women, help reduce obesity. You have to make you and your fitness a priority."

The AHA provides tools online to help people plan a regular walking program, and there are materials for employers to promote walking at workplaces.

Sanders says he champions a walking exercise program because it has the lowest dropout rate of any type of physical activity. Plus, it's free.

"Even fitting in short sessions of walking, starting with five or ten minutes for people who have been inactive, as long as you can accumulate two-and-half hours during the week; that's the goal."

You can learn more on the Web at startwalkingnow.org