Counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in West Virginia

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 West Virginia with the highest rates of hypertension.

State-level statistics
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.4% (62.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#25. Taylor County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.8% (62.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#24. Ritchie County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.3% (64.0% of those with high blood pressure)

#23. Wayne County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.5% (64.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#22. Jackson County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.1% (63.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#21. Boone County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.3% (63.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#20. Roane County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.2% (60.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#19. Berkeley County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.7% (64.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#18. Summers County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.0% (62.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#17. Wirt County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.4% (63.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#16. Fayette County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.7% (63.9% of those with high blood pressure)

#15. Braxton County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.5% (63.4% of those with high blood pressure)

#14. Gilmer County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 38.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.9% (64.1% of those with high blood pressure)

#13. Webster County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.3% (62.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#12. Upshur County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.8% (63.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#11. Pocahontas County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 25.2% (64.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#10. Barbour County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.8% (63.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#9. Clay County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.5%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 25.6% (64.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#8. Raleigh County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.6%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 25.4% (64.2% of those with high blood pressure)

#7. Lincoln County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 39.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 25.7% (64.6% of those with high blood pressure)

#6. Calhoun County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 40.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 25.9% (64.5% of those with high blood pressure)

#5. Mercer County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 40.6% (#193 highest nationally)
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 26.1% (64.3% of those with high blood pressure)

#4. Logan County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 41.5% (#144 highest nationally)
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 26.9% (64.8% of those with high blood pressure)

#3. Wyoming County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 41.6% (#139 highest nationally)
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 27.3% (65.7% of those with high blood pressure)

#2. McDowell County
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- Adults with high blood pressure: 42.0% (#127 highest nationally)
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 27.4% (65.2% 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. Mingo County
Photo Illustration by Stacker // Canva