Counties with the highest rates of strokes in Kentucky

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.

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

#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

Canva

#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

#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

You may also like: Highest-earning cities in Kentucky

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

#41. Whitley 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: 24.7 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 13.5 per 100K people

You may also like: Counties with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Kentucky

Canva

#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

#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

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

You may also like: Best places to retire in Kentucky

Canva

#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

#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

#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

Canva

#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

#31. Pike 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: 28.2 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.0 per 100K people

You may also like: Counties with the worst commutes in Kentucky

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#26. Clinton 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: 25.4 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 12.7 per 100K people

You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Kentucky

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

#21. Cumberland 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: 30.1 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 14.2 per 100K people

You may also like: Lowest-earning counties in Kentucky

Canva

#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

#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

Canva

#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

#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

Canva

#16. Casey 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: 25.0 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 10.1 per 100K people

You may also like: States sending the most people to Kentucky

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#11. Knott 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: 27.5 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.8 per 100K people

You may also like: Breonna Taylor becomes a martyr for the movement: A major civil rights moment in Kentucky

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

#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

Canva

#6. Knox County

– Age-adjusted rate of all strokes among adults, estimates for 2021: 4.1% (range between 3.5% and 4.7%)
– Death rate for ischemic strokes, 2018-20: 24.9 per 100K people
– Death rate for hemorrhagic strokes, 2018-20: 9.7 per 100K people

You may also like: See how much delivery drivers in Kentucky make

Canva

#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

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

Canva

#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

You may also like: See how much of its wind energy potential Kentucky uses

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.