On March 31, visitors to the Healthy Heart Expo were faced with the hard facts that Kentucky ranks in the top 10 for the most heart attacks, strokes, smoking, and obesity.

Dr. Bart Dawson spoke on Kentucky's health ratings compared to other states.

Kentucky ranks number one in smoking, tenth for the most heart attacks, tenth for the most strokes, and fifth for obesity and inactivity.

"Its a big problem, just look at Kentucky deaths," Dawson said. "Overall, cardiovascular disease accounts for 38% of cardiovascular deaths. About eight percent are due to heart disease."

One third of Kentucky high school students smoke, 13% are at risk for diabetes, 15% are overweight, and 30% are overweight, or at risk of being overweight.

One third of adults have high blood pressure, one third smoke, 25% have high cholesterol, over 15% are diabetic, and about 70% are overweight or clinically obese.

Twin Lakes Director of Planning and Marketing, Bill Oldham said the hospital staff was able to reach a different demographic this year, by hosting the expo at a later time.

"We saw a lot of new faces," he explained. "Several of the people who came this year, did not come last year."

Over 12 Twin Lakes employees volunteered during the expo. Among the various screenings that were done, there were also 29 lipid profiles performed.

"We recognize the importance of keeping well," Oldham mentioned, "preventing things before they cause problems."