Counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in Washington

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 Washington with the highest rates of hypertension.

State-level statistics
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 27.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.5% (52.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#25. Klickitat County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 27.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.5% (52.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#24. Columbia County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.6% (51.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#23. Wahkiakum County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.7% (52.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#22. Thurston County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.7% (52.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#21. Franklin County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.4% (50.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#20. Douglas County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.1% (53.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#19. Kitsap County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.7% (51.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#18. Kittitas County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.7% (51.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#17. Whatcom County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.4% (50.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#16. Clallam County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 28.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.8% (51.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#15. Cowlitz County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 14.8% (50.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#14. Pend Oreille County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.1% (51.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#13. Mason County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.3% (52.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#12. Pierce County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.3% (51.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#11. Garfield County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.8% (53.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#10. Asotin County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 29.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.2% (50.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#9. Okanogan County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.7% (51.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#8. Lewis County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.3% (53.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#7. Whitman County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.0% (52.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#6. Ferry County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.0% (52.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#5. Pacific County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.3% (53.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#4. Yakima County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 15.6% (50.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#3. Grant County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 30.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.2% (52.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#2. Adams County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 31.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 16.7% (52.4% 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. Grays Harbor County
Photo Illustration by Stacker // Canva