10 States with the Most Heart Disease Deaths

February is National Heart Month, and though heart disease is one of the most high-profile health issues facing the country, it remains a major challenge for physicians and public health officials.

Cardiovascular disease—including stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure—is the cause of one out of every 3 deaths in the US, and is the top killer of both women and men, according to the American Heart Association.

With nearly half of Americans exhibiting at least one major risk factor, Obama called on Americans to improve their diet and exercise regularly.

“[Y]ou can control risk factors and protect your heart,” he said.

The AHA said heart disease accounts for 17.3 million deaths per year. By 2030, that number is expected to hit 23.6 million.

With that in mind, below is a state-level look at the heart disease problem in America. Included in the list are the 10 states with the highest heart disease death rates from 2008-2010 (the last year for which data are available), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though heart disease deaths were used to rank the list, each state profile also includes stroke deaths per 100,000 people, heart disease hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare recipients, and acute myocardial infarction deaths per 100,000.

Note: The heart disease, stroke, and AMI death rates are per 100,000 people aged 35 and older. The heart disease hospitalization rate is per 1,000 Medicare recipients and thus includes only patients age 65 and older.

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 413.9

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 53.7Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 60.3Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 69.8

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 419.2

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 89.3Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 71.8Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 131.5

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 426.5

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 97.3Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 64.8Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 119.9

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 428.4

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 92.5Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 69.5Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 91.2

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 440.4

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 104.1Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 64.2Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 177.6

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 447.1

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 68.4Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 50.7Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 61.3

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 449

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 91.1Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 67.9Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 95.4

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 461.4

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 105.5Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 65.9Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 98.6

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 464.8

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 99.5Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 62.7Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 71.1

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000: 500.8

Stroke Deaths per 100,000: 99.8Heart Disease Hospitalizations per 1,000: 67.3Acute Myocardial Infarction Deaths per 100,000: 117.6