Thousands expected to rally for heart health at the 2026 Miami Heart Walk
MIAMI, Aug. 12, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially if performed immediately — can double or triple a. . .
MIAMI, Aug. 12, 2026 —According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially if performed immediately — can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. The American Heart Association will bring the community together for the 2026 Miami Heart Walk on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at loanDepot park, where an estimated 2,000 participants are expected to celebrate local survivors, support lifesaving progress and take steps toward a healthier Miami. The annual Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s largest community-facing initiative. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, the campaign helps make CPR education and training more accessible, funds vital research and advances equitable health for all. Companies, families, survivors and supporters are invited to form teams, raise funds and walk together in support of longer, healthier lives. Leading this year’s effort is Allyssa Tobitt, CEO of HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, who returns as chair of the 2026 Miami Heart Walk. Tobitt will work with top Miami executives to recruit organizations, grow participation and help build a community of lifesavers prepared to respond during a cardiac emergency. “Cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time, and the outcome often comes down to whether someone nearby knows what to do,” Tobitt said. “We envision at least one person in every household feeling confident to perform CPR. By joining Heart Walk, Miami employers can help ensure that when it matters most, their employees are prepared to act during a cardiac emergency. ”For Tobitt, the campaign is also personal. She is chairing the Heart Walk in memory of Eduardo Salinas, M. D. , a beloved emergency department physician whose sudden passing deeply affected the HCA Florida Mercy Hospital team. “Chairing the Heart Walk is a way to honor his legacy while ensuring that, as a community, we do everything possible to help prevent future tragedies,” Tobitt said. The need for greater CPR confidence remains urgent. According to the American Heart Association’s 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey, 39% of people, or approximately 103 million U. S. adults, feel “extremely confident” or “very confident” they could correctly perform CPR, up from 33% in 2021. That represents approximately 17. 7 million more adults with high confidence, but 61% still lack high confidence to act in a cardiac emergency. “Allyssa’s commitment to making Miami a safer, stronger community makes her the right person to lead this campaign,” said Marisol Vera, executive director of the American Heart Association, Miami. “We look forward to bringing companies, families and survivors together for an inspiring Heart Walk and hope the entire community will join us. ”The Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through its Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, the Association is working to ensure more people are ready to perform CPR and be a vital link in the chain of survival, supporting its goal to double survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. The 2026 Miami Heart Walk is nationally sponsored by Walgreens and locally sponsored by Cardio Partners, HCA Florida Healthcare, Nicklaus Children's Health System, ADP, Florida Power & Light, Mount Sinai, Medical Center, Bayview Asset Management, Ryder System, Inc. , Vilar Hoynack Construction, Almazan Law and CITY Furniture. Companies interested in participating in the Heart Walk may contact Marisol Vera, executive director of the American Heart Association, Miami, atmarisol. vera@heart. org. Learn more, form a team and register atwww. heart. org/miamiwalk. # # #About the American Heart AssociationThe 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 onheart. org,Facebook,Xor by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173Melissa Solis:Melissa. Solis@heart. orgFor Public Inquiries:1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)heart. organdstroke. org