Research shows that one in six people has undiagnosed heart disease. That statistic proved true at Western Baptist Hospital when NewsChannel 6 again launched its Cardiac Arrest news series.

Six people with risk factors for heart disease were tested, including WBH employees Ardenia Cleary, Missy Galloway and Robbie Hopkins and ISP Chemical employees Patricia Butler, Don Osborne and Dennis Sutton. All had lab work and stress tests to check for possible heart conditions.

While none was found to have significant blockages, a scan on Baptist’s 64-slice CT scanner revealed early stages of heart disease in Sutton.

Participating cardiologists J. Kenneth Ford, Brad McElroy and James Gwinn said the findings were not surprising.

“Heart disease is on the rise, especially in our region,” said Dr. Ford. “Kentucky leads the nation in smoking and nearly one out of every three Kentuckians has high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.”

Cleary, case manager at Baptist, said the experience was eye-opening. Cleary learned that recent chest pain she had been experiencing was actually the result of low potassium.

“I’ve learned that it’s important to be attentive to your health and take action when something just doesn’t seem right,” said Cleary. “The earlier you get treatment, the better the outcome.”

Complete results will be featured on NewsChannel 6 in early February.

More than 60 employees volunteered to participate in the Cardiac Arrest study. Anyone can check his or her risk factors online at westernbaptist.com/heart by taking a five-minute heart risk assessment, which qualifies takers for reduced-cost screenings at Baptist Prime Care.

For more information about the assessment or other heart-healthy resources, phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.