INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 10, 2026 — The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, will hold its 35th annual Indy Heart Walk on Saturday, Sept. 19. The event returns to Celebration Plaza in White River State Park for the first time since 2016.

Thousands of Hoosiers whose lives have been impacted by heart disease and stroke are expected to attend the event, which not only celebrates the many advancements in cardiovascular health but also focuses on training participants in the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR.

“The American Heart Association’s goal is to build a Nation of Lifesavers where at least one person in every household knows how to perform CPR,” said Dawn Griffin, chief human resources officer at Trimedx, who is chair of this year’s Heart Walk. “The Heart Walk is the opportunity for people to come together and learn that skill as well as so much more about heart health.”

The central feature of the Heart Walk is the new “Be Extraordinary Area” that offers participants numerous interactive experiences, including CPR, Kids Corner, a tribute station, heart-health education, health screenings and more.

“Just about everyone has either been impacted by heart disease or knows someone who has,” Griffin said. “The Heart Walk is a chance to celebrate the work that has been done, is being done, and that will be done to help people live longer, healthier lives.”

The “Be Extraordinary Area” opens at 8 a.m. A re-imagined opening ceremony featuring a survivor of sudden cardiac arrest begins at 9:45, and the walk begins at 10.

Registration for the walk is free at www.indyheartwalk.org. Participants are encouraged to fundraise to support the Heart Association’s work to teach more people CPR, advance lifesaving research and address risk factors of heart disease and stroke.

Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community-facing initiative, reaching more than 10 million people nationwide each year. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for cardiovascular research and drive equitable health for all people.

 

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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

 

For Media Inquiries:
Tim Harms; tim.harms@heart.org
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org