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Kentucky secures its notch on America's 'stroke belt'

By Stu Johnson

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-881550.mp3

Frankfort, KY – Kentucky is securely positioned as a member of America's stroke belt.' It means the Commonwealth is among ten other states where the mortality rate from strokes is higher than the national average. Smoking and high blood pressure are two main causes behind the high rate in Kentucky. It's a designation which greatly concerns many of the state's health care professionals. As Kentucky Public Radio's Stu Johnson reports, there is a move in Frankfort to increase the number of hospitals capable of fully treating stroke patients.