BAKERSFIELD -  

People teamed up in southwest Bakersfield to fight heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk attracted nearly one thousand people.  Organizers say Kern County has more deaths from cardiovascular disease than any other county in California.

The 5k run and two-mile walk aimed at raising awareness and funds to fight against heart disease and stroke, which are America’s leading causes of death.

A total of 90 teams were formed for the event.

“We do this every year to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease in our community.  Bakersfield and Kern County is 58 of 58 counties in California for heart health so, there’s a lot of work that we have to do in our community.  Building awareness about cardio vascular disease getting your health checked, your blood pressure, your health screenings yearly,” said Julie Liebel from the American Heart Association in Kern County.

The Bakersfield Heart Walk raised nearly $130,000.