Cardiovascular care: a challenge for Kentucky.

Kentucky has a high incidence of cardiovascular (CV) disease, usually ranking it in the top 5 states of the United States as part of this dubious distinction. The most likely explanation lies in poor health habits with an elevated occurrence of cigarette smoking, diabetes, poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and a consistent presence of at least 3 of the 5 major components which define the term Metabolic Syndrome. Since 1980, there has been an explosion in the availability of CV technology and CV care throughout Kentucky, yet the state has maintained its undesirable high ranking for CV disease in the United States. Treating CV disease is clearly not enough; lifestyle habits need to be changed before CV disease develops.