For more than a century, strokes have been a leading cause of death among U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sudden cerebrovascular event affects nearly 800,000 Americans annually and is also a leading cause of disability.
The tragedy of the nation's stroke rate is amplified by its preventability. Four out of five strokes are preventable, according to the CDC.
Stacker used CDC data to list the counties in Kentucky with the highest prevalence of stroke. Data is based on estimates compiled by the CDC, with the confidence range included for each county. Additional data on death rates between 2018 and 2020 for the two most common types of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic, are also included for each county. In cases of a tie, the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke death rates are used as tiebreakers.
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery leading to the brain. These account for 87% of strokes in the U.S. In hemorrhagic strokes, a ruptured blood vessel causes active bleeding in the brain. These kinds of strokes are often more serious.
When someone suffers a stroke, a swift medical response can have a major impact on their recovery. Early treatment by doctors can help dissolve the clot in ischemic strokes and limit the expansion of the brain bleed in hemorrhagic strokes. Knowing the signs—including drooping on one side of the face, inability to lift one arm or leg, and slurred speech—and calling 911 immediately can help save lives.
Research shows that the first one to three months after a stroke are the most crucial for retraining the brain to complete tasks that once felt second nature, with emerging research suggesting progress does not halt after six months. Ongoing therapy has an impact on stroke victims throughout their recovery journey, even if progress slows. Despite these promising findings, many health insurance plans limit how much therapy is covered and make regular, long-term treatment more challenging for survivors of strokes and their families.
The rate of strokes is most prominent throughout the Southeast; public health experts have termed the region the "stroke belt" for its higher death rates than the national average. Racial disparities are also prominent, with Black people experiencing and dying from strokes at higher rates, according to the Office of Minority Health.
Preventative care is critical for lowering stroke risk, even for people who otherwise feel healthy.
Annual check-ins with a physician can help track risk factors including high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of stroke, and it can be caused by overconsumption of salty foods, drinking alcohol, smoking, stress, and genetics. High blood pressure has less obvious symptoms, but people can regularly track their metrics using at-home blood pressure cuffs to know if they need to talk to their doctor sooner than scheduled. The American Heart Association has recommendations for which readings require medical intervention.
Read on to see which counties had the highest rates of strokes in Kentucky.
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#50. Robertson County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.4% (range between 2.9% and 3.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 25.2 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.1 per 100K people
#49. Webster County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.4% (range between 3.0% and 3.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 25.5 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.8 per 100K people
Gabriel Quiles // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Russell County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.4% (range between 3.0% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.4 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.5 per 100K people
#47. Hickman County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.4% (range between 3.0% and 3.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 28.7 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.5 per 100K people
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Edmonson County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.4% (range between 3.0% and 3.9%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 29.5 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.3 per 100K people
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#45. Metcalfe County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.4% (range between 3.0% and 3.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 41.5 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 13.1 per 100K people
#44. Carroll County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.1% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 17.3 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.2 per 100K people
#43. Lincoln County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.0% and 3.9%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 22.1 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.1 per 100K people
#42. Nicholas County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.1% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 22.2 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.1 per 100K people
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
10 / 50#40. Todd County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.1% and 3.9%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.0 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.8 per 100K people
Michele Korfhage // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Grayson County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.1% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.8 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.2 per 100K people
Johnnie Laws // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Johnson County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.0% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 29.1 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 16.9 per 100K people
#37. Carlisle County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.1% and 3.9%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 29.2 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.9 per 100K people
#36. Barren County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.0% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 30.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.2 per 100K people
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#35. Monroe County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.5% (range between 3.1% and 4.1%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 34.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 13.6 per 100K people
Patrick Jennings // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Rockcastle County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.6% (range between 3.1% and 4.1%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 22.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.9 per 100K people
Jill Lang // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Wayne County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.6% (range between 3.2% and 4.1%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 23.4 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 8.6 per 100K people
#32. Christian County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.6% (range between 3.2% and 4.0%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 26.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.9 per 100K people
Cody Thane Prater // Shutterstock
20 / 50#30. Perry County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.6% (range between 3.1% and 4.1%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 30.7 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.9 per 100K people
#29. Carter County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.2% and 4.3%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 16.5 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.6 per 100K people
#28. Menifee County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.3% and 4.3%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 23.8 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.0 per 100K people
#27. Lawrence County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.2% and 4.2%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 24.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.6 per 100K people
#25. Morgan County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.2% and 4.2%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 26.5 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.9 per 100K people
#24. Hart County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.2% and 4.1%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.8 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.2 per 100K people
#23. Green County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.2% and 4.2%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 28.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.0 per 100K people
#22. Martin County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.7% (range between 3.2% and 4.2%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 29.2 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.3 per 100K people
Brian Kenney // Shutterstock
30 / 50#20. Elliott County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.8% (range between 3.3% and 4.3%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 15.9 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.2 per 100K people
Maxine Livingston // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Estill County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.8% (range between 3.3% and 4.3%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 24.3 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.4 per 100K people
#18. Breathitt County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.8% (range between 3.3% and 4.4%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 26.1 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.2 per 100K people
Nate Hovee // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Floyd County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.8% (range between 3.3% and 4.3%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.0 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 15.1 per 100K people
#15. Owsley County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.9% (range between 3.3% and 4.4%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.8 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.1 per 100K people
#14. Letcher County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.9% (range between 3.4% and 4.4%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 30.8 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 6.8 per 100K people
#13. Leslie County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 3.9% (range between 3.4% and 4.5%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 32.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 14.9 per 100K people
#12. Bell County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.0% (range between 3.5% and 4.6%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 27.2 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 15.6 per 100K people
#10. Fulton County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.0% (range between 3.5% and 4.4%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 29.7 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 13.9 per 100K people
#9. Lewis County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.1% (range between 3.6% and 4.6%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 22.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 11.3 per 100K people
#8. Jackson County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.1% (range between 3.5% and 4.6%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 23.1 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.8 per 100K people
Cindy1988 // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Magoffin County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.1% (range between 3.5% and 4.6%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 23.3 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.7 per 100K people
#5. Clay County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.2% (range between 3.7% and 4.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 25.3 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.3 per 100K people
anthony heflin // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Harlan County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.2% (range between 3.7% and 4.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 30.3 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 13.8 per 100K people
#3. McCreary County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.3% (range between 3.8% and 4.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 24.0 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.1 per 100K people
#2. Lee County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.3% (range between 3.7% and 4.8%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 25.6 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.4 per 100K people
#1. Wolfe County
- Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.6% (range between 4.0% and 5.2%)
- Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 26.2 per 100K people
- Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.9 per 100K people
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This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
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