MARIETTA — Tony Britton said personal experience led him to become the co-chair for the 2012 Cobb Heart Walk at Marietta Square.

The walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 13, with activities starting at 8 a.m. Britton, also the chairman of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, said organizers hope to top the 1,500 people who participated last year.

Britton, who is co-chair along with Dr. Robert Jansen, said he was awakened to the dangers of heart disease, the nation’s No. 1 killer, when he was diagnosed with seven major heart blockages in 2009. The blockages required five bypasses.

While Britton, a senior vice president with Community & Southern Bank, said he eats well, stays in shape and has no real family history of heart disease, his problems were caused by high levels of calcium in his blood.

“Truly it was a surprise,” he said.

Britton, who still goes through cardiac rehab, got involved with the American Heart Association Heart Walk in 2010. In 2011, he was named to his first year as co-chair. He said his role with the event is “to help us raise awareness and get more involvement from the business community.”

According to its website, the Cobb Heart Walk had raised more than $131,000 as of Wednesday evening, bringing it more than halfway to its goal of $250,000.

The main Heart Walk will be a 5K run or walk, though a 1-mile “survivor walk,” will be available to former heart patients who can’t go the full distance.