Counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in Illinois

Emma Rubin // Stacker

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology in 2017 updated high blood pressure guidelines for the first time since 2003. Any reading of 130/80 and above is now considered hypertensive.

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressure. The systolic reading examines the arteries when the heart is beating, while the diastolic reading examines them while the heart rests. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80.

Diet is a major driver of high blood pressure, with salty foods and low-potassium diets connected to hypertension. Other lifestyle choices play a part, too, including drinking and smoking. The CDC says heredity also likely plays some role in hypertension risk.

For people who have hypertension, limiting high-risk foods and behaviors, taking medication recommended by doctors, and regularly monitoring their blood pressure with a cuff can prevent more severe incidents.

Read on to see the counties in Illinois with the highest rates of hypertension.

State-level statistics
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.6% (61.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#25. Stephenson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.5% (60.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#24. Gallatin County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.5% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#23. Union County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.6% (61.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#22. Massac County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.6% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#21. Schuyler County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.7% (61.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#20. Bond County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.8% (61.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#19. McDonough County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.5% (63.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#18. St. Clair County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#17. Marion County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#16. Morgan County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#15. Pope County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.0% (61.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#14. Knox County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.1% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#13. Macon County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#12. Johnson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.2% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#11. Winnebago County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (60.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#10. Franklin County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.2% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#9. Fayette County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.5% (61.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#8. Randolph County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.1% (62.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#7. Jackson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.8% (61.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#6. Lawrence County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.0% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#5. Perry County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.5% (63.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#4. Vermilion County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.7% (62.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#3. Brown County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.1% (63.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#2. Pulaski County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.1% (64.7% of those with high blood pressure)

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.

#1. Alexander County
Photo Illustration by Stacker // Canva