This February, the women’s comfort footwear brand Easy Spirit is making a $25,000 pledge to support Anuradha Lala-Trindade (Anu Lala), MD and Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital as part of their #MoveForHeart initiative. During national heart health month, Mount Sinai and Easy Spirit aim to build a stronger, healthier community by encouraging women to take meaningful steps toward wellness—at their own pace—by raising awareness of the powerful role walking and movement play in maintaining a healthy heart.
Now in its second year, Easy Spirit’s campaign leverages Dr. Lala’s expertise to educate women on the importance of prevention and to prioritize their heart health through simple, accessible activities like daily walking. At the heart of this year’s campaign is the Limited Edition Move for Heart Collection featuring two hands-free, easy-on sneakers, with proceeds benefitting Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital.
Dr. Lala, a renowned cardiologist dedicated to improving heart disease prevention and treatment for women, emphasizes that women are often underrepresented in clinical trials designed to understand heart disease and enhance therapies. As a result, she committed Easy Spirit’s philanthropic contributions for 2025 to increasing enrollment of women in trials investigating innovative therapies to improve heart disease outcomes for women.
This year’s contribution will support Dr. Lala’s pioneering research on women’s hormonal changes during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond, and how these changes contribute to the development of heart failure. In women, this condition is characterized by a stiffening of the heart, which becomes a problem over time and leads to shortness of breath. Dr. Lala states, “This year’s donation will be dedicated to understanding the relationship between hormonal shifts and the development of stiffer hearts. Additionally, it will be used to develop integrated treatment pathways for women with heart disease.”
Dr. Lala’s Prescription for a Healthy Heart
1. Walking as a Preventative Tool
Regular walking can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Did you know?
- Walking at least 30 minutes daily can lower the risk of cardiovascular events by 35% and reduce overall mortality by 30%.
- Brisk walking for 150 minutes a week reduces the likelihood of developing hypertension and type 2 diabetes and improves cardiovascular health.
- Studies suggest that every additional 1,000 steps per day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by approximately 10%.
2. Movement and Stress Reduction
Walking benefits both the body and mind. Physical activity releases endorphins—your body's “feel-good” chemicals—while reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, which is directly linked to heart health. For added benefits, Dr. Lala recommends walking outdoors in nature, which promotes mindfulness and relaxation.
3. Dr. Lala’s Heart Health Philosophy
Dr. Lala emphasizes that walking and other forms of movement keep her energized, mentally clear, and emotionally balanced. “Prioritizing heart health allows me to care for loved ones and patients, pursue my goals, and maintain physical and mental well-being,” she says. She also incorporates yoga, running, weightlifting, and mindful eating into her daily routine to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
4. How to Get Started
For those new to walking, Dr. Lala advises starting with short, achievable goals and gradually building consistency. “The beauty of walking is that you can begin anytime, anywhere, no matter what age, or level of fitness,” she says. Whether it’s taking the stairs, parking farther away from the grocery store or work, or enjoying a walk with loved ones, every step counts toward a healthier heart.
A Shared Mission
Through this collaboration, Easy Spirit and Dr. Lala hope to inspire individuals to embrace walking as a simple yet powerful way to prioritize heart health. By making small, sustainable changes, anyone can experience the long-term benefits of movement.
