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

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 Mexico with the highest rates of hypertension.

State-level statistics
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.6% (55.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#25. Eddy County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.3% (54.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#24. Rio Arriba County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.0% (56.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#23. Mora County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.3% (56.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#22. Hidalgo County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.4% (53.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#21. San Juan County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.3% (56.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#20. Roosevelt County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.0% (55.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#19. Sierra County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.3% (56.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#18. De Baca County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.3% (56.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#17. Guadalupe County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.3% (55.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#16. Valencia County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.5% (56.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#15. Harding County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.5% (56.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#14. Doña Ana County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.8% (57.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#13. Colfax County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.7% (56.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#12. Torrance County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.6% (56.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#11. Union County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.7% (56.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#10. Lea County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.5% (55.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#9. Curry County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 17.9% (56.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#8. Otero County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.2% (57.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#7. Socorro County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.5% (57.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#6. Quay County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.7% (56.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#5. Chaves County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.3% (58.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#4. Catron County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.5% (55.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#3. Cibola County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.3% (57.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#2. Luna County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 18.8% (55.0% 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. McKinley County
Photo Illustration by Stacker // Canva