Can We Walk All 60,000 Miles of the Human Circulatory System?

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Saturday, July 25, 2026

The human body contains approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels. This September, during PAD Awareness Month, Dr. John Phillips and I are inviting people around the world to help us walk every one of them together.

The Great Circulation Challenge is a free global walking challenge bringing together patients, physicians, clinicians, researchers, vascular industry teams, caregivers, families, and anyone who wants to improve their circulation.

We will follow the journey of a drop of blood through the human superhighway, beginning in the left side of the heart and traveling through the aorta, brain, arms, hands, legs, feet, veins, lungs, and back home to the heart.

Along the way, we will stop at the major milestones of the circulatory system and explain why every part matters, especially the arteries supplying the legs and feet.

Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, is poor circulation caused by plaque narrowing or blocking the arteries, most commonly in the legs. It is more prevalent and, when it reaches its advanced stages, can be deadlier than prostate cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer combined.

Yet millions of people do not know they have it.

Leg cramping, aching, heaviness, fatigue, slowing down while walking, cold feet, discoloration, numbness, and wounds that do not heal should never simply be dismissed as normal aging.

Walking is medicine.

For people living with PAD, structured walking can help improve circulation, build endurance, increase walking distance, and encourage the development of natural collateral pathways around blocked arteries.

Throughout September, every participant's steps will contribute to our shared 60,000-mile goal. After the global challenge is complete, participants will be invited to continue their own individual Circulation Journey until they personally reach 60,000 miles.

https://padwalk.org/register.html

Registration is free. You can join an existing team or create one for your family, physician, clinic, hospital, workplace, school, patient group, or community.

NEED HELP WITH PAD?

Call the Global PAD Association Leg Saver Hotline:

1-833-PAD-LEGS 1-833-723-5347

Our team can help you better understand PAD, prepare questions for your doctor, explore walking resources, and connect with experienced vascular specialists when needed.

FIND A WALKING PROGRAM

Learn about supervised exercise therapy and structured walking programs for PAD:

https://www.thewaytomyheart.org/pad-w...

Subscribe to our channel and join us as we raise awareness, improve circulation, and work together to save life and limb.

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