Nearly half of Americans live with high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, contributed to nearly 700,000 deaths in 2021 and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Stacker used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the counties with the highest rates of high blood pressure in Illinois as of 2021. Ties are broken by the share of the population on blood pressure medication. For counties that ranked in the top 200 nationally, their national rank for high blood pressure prevalence is also included.
The Southeast has the highest rates of high blood pressure. Racial disparities underscore these geographical trends, as about 40% of Black people across the U.S. have high blood pressure. Social determinants of health, including access to health care and fresh foods, have contributed to higher rates.
Guidelines for doctors have also limited the types of high blood pressure medication available to Black patients, a paradigm which is now starting to shift as recent studies have pointed out the flaws of race-based prescribing for hypertension.
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1 / 26State-level statistics
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 Illinois with the highest rates of hypertension.
#25. Stephenson County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.6% (61.4% of those with high blood pressure)
#24. Gallatin County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.5% (60.6% of those with high blood pressure)
#23. Union County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.5% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)
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5 / 26Kristen Prahl // Shutterstock
6 / 26#21. Schuyler County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.6% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)
#20. Bond County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.7% (61.3% of those with high blood pressure)
#19. McDonough County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.8% (61.3% of those with high blood pressure)
#18. St. Clair County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.5% (63.6% of those with high blood pressure)
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11 / 26#16. Morgan County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.4% of those with high blood pressure)
#15. Pope County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (61.4% of those with high blood pressure)
#14. Knox County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.0% (61.6% of those with high blood pressure)
#13. Macon County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.4%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.1% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)
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15 / 26#11. Winnebago County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.7%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.2% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)
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17 / 26#10. Franklin County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 32.8%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 19.9% (60.7% of those with high blood pressure)
#9. Fayette County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.1%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.2% (60.9% of those with high blood pressure)
#8. Randolph County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.3%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.5% (61.6% of those with high blood pressure)
#6. Lawrence County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 33.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 20.8% (61.5% of those with high blood pressure)
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22 / 26#5. Perry County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.0% (61.9% of those with high blood pressure)
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23 / 26#4. Vermilion County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.0%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.5% (63.1% of those with high blood pressure)
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24 / 26#3. Brown County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 34.9%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 21.7% (62.1% of those with high blood pressure)
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25 / 26#2. Pulaski County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 36.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 23.1% (63.9% of those with high blood pressure)
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26 / 26#1. Alexander County
- Adults with high blood pressure: 37.2%
- Adults on medication for high blood pressure: 24.1% (64.7% 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.
