Counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in New Jersey

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 New Jersey with the highest rates of hypertension.

State-level statistics
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 23.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 13.7% (57.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#21. Bergen County
FotosForTheFuture // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 24.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.2% (57.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#20. Somerset County
EQRoy // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 24.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 13.8% (55.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#19. Hunterdon County
Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 25.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.6% (56.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#18. Morris County
Andrew F. Kazmierski // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 26.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.2% (57.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#17. Monmouth County
Linda Harms // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 26.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.7% (55.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#16. Sussex County
f11 photo // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 26.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.7% (58.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#15. Hudson County
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 27.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.5% (56.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#14. Ocean County
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 27.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.9% (61.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#13. Union County
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 27.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.5% (59.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#12. Middlesex County
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.5% (58.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#11. Warren County
Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.2% (60.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#10. Mercer County
Thomas Kloc // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.2% (59.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#9. Gloucester County
EQRoy // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.5% (60.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#8. Burlington County
Jorge Moro // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.2% (58.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#7. Cape May County
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.5% (59.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#6. Passaic County
Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.1% (60.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#5. Essex County
EQRoy // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.4% (59.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#4. Salem County
MSPhotographic // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.7% (59.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#3. Atlantic County
Canva

- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.1% (60.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#2. Camden County
Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.5% 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. Cumberland County
Photo Illustration by Stacker // Canva