Counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in Texas

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 Texas with the highest rates of hypertension.

State-level statistics
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 35.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.1% (61.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#25. Nacogdoches County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.2% (61.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#24. Bowie County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.9% (60.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#23. Dawson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.3% (61.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#22. Cottle County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.0% (60.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#21. Limestone County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.2% (61.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#20. Zavala County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.3% (61.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#19. Cass County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.1% (60.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#18. Willacy County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.2% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#17. Starr County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.6% (61.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#16. Marion County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.1% (60.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#15. Hudspeth County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.4% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#14. Anderson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.8% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#13. Angelina County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.6% (61.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#12. Shelby County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.8% (61.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#11. Jefferson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.1% (62.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#10. Falls County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.0% (62.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#9. Houston County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.7% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#8. Cochran County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 22.8% (61.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#7. Swisher County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.2% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#6. Jasper County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.1% (61.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#5. Presidio County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.2% (61.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#4. Walker County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.2% (61.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#3. Newton County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.8% (62.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#2. Dimmit County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.9% (62.6% 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. San Augustine County
Photo Illustration by Stacker // Canva