According to the American Heart Association each year, 1.26 million Americans suffer from coronary attacks and nearly 67 percent of Americans are overweight or obese and at risk for heart complications from a sedentary lifestyle.

These numbers are alarming and has prompted women’s boxing champion Laila Ali to partner with the AHA for their fourth annual National Start Walking Day.

Watch Laila Ali discuss the AHA on The Today Show

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

National Start Walking Day calls on Americans to find 30 minutes and go for a walk. It is part of the American Heart Association’s strategy in getting the public to live healthier lives and make exercise a priority. More than 1,300 companies across and nearly 3.2 million people will be walking on Wednesday.

For Laila when most people hear the ‘Ali’ last name they think of Parkinson’s Disease, but cardiovascular disease is of huge concern to the famous family as it runs in their family history.

Aside from her work with AHA, Laila is promoting health and fitness across the country and working with women and children to promote positive self esteem.

She is married to former NFL player Curtis Conway, the two were neighbors and never met until a mutual friend had a party and introduced the two. It was basically love at first site. The two have a 19-month-old son Curtis Conway Jr.