Salt Lake Valley Firefighters to Kick Off 2014 My Heart Challenge on Thursday

They battle fires, save lives and make our communities safe. Now, 15 firefighters from seven Salt Lake Valley fire agencies will be put to the ultimate test: who will improve their heart health the most to win the 2014 My Heart Challenge? 

The firefighters will kick off the 100-day My Heart Challenge on Thursday at 8 a.m. at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray with a weigh-in ceremony and kick-off breakfast. The challenge, which is sponsored by the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, is designed to help the firefighters enhance their heart health and reduce their risk of heart attack and heart disease. 

News reporters are invited. 

During the 14-week Challenge, firefighters will work with a team from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute that includes exercise specialists, dietitians and heart experts to develop individualized plans to help them make positive, health-improving changes to their lives. Firefighters will be given a comprehensive set of heart tests at the beginning of the Challenge to establish a baseline. The same tests will be repeated at the end of the 14 weeks so that firefighters can measure their personal progress. 

Firefighters have a very demanding lifestyle. There's a lot of stress and shift-work, which puts them at increased risk for heart disease. Learning how to manage stress, incorporate heart-healthy meals into their daily schedules and finding time time for regular exercise is key to improving their health. Winners will receive $1,000 to use toward purchasing wellness equipment for his or her fire station.

Participating firefighters are from the following Salt Lake Valley fire agencies: Murray City Fire, Salt Lake City Fire, Sandy City Fire, South Salt Lake Fire, West Jordan Fire, West Valley City Fire and Unified Fire. 

WHEN: 

WHERE: 

Intermountain Medical Center 

Education Auditorium – Bldg #6 

5121 South Cottonwood Street, Murray