Blood Pressure 138 over 59 - what do these values mean?
Borderline. 138/59 is high normal — not yet hypertension by international guidelines, but the step before it (US guidelines call it stage 1 hypertension). If this is your home average (several days, morning and evening), the guideline threshold is 135/85 — at or above that counts as high blood pressure. Its lower number is low on its own, though — see below.
- International (ESH)High normal
- US guideline (AHA/ACC)Stage 1 hypertension
- Pulse pressure79 mmHg
- Mean arterial pressure85 mmHg
What to do now
- Lifestyle changes now: less salt, more potassium-rich foods, regular exercise, weight loss if needed, less alcohol.
- Measure at home over a week and re-check yearly — more often if you have diabetes, kidney or heart disease. A home average of 135/85 or more counts as high blood pressure.
The systolic (upper) number decides the category: when the two numbers fall into different categories, the higher one counts. Your lower number of 59 is low on its own (diastolic below 60), and the gap of 79 mmHg between the two numbers is wide — mention it to your doctor, sooner if you feel dizzy or faint.
Blood pressure 138/59 on the blood pressure chart
- Low blood pressure
- Ideal (optimal)
- Normal
- High normal
- Hypertension stage 1
- Hypertension stage 2
- Hypertension stage 3
Read more about this category: High normal.
International and US categories
| Category | Systolic / diastolic (mmHg) | US (AHA/ACC) |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal (optimal) | < 120 and < 80 | Normal |
| Normal | 120–129 and/or 80–84 | Elevated / stage 1 |
| High normal | 130–139 and/or 85–89 | Stage 1 |
| Hypertension stage 1 | 140–159 and/or 90–99 | Stage 2 |
| Hypertension stage 2 | 160–179 and/or 100–109 | Stage 2 |
| Hypertension stage 3 | ≥ 180 and/or ≥ 110 | Stage 2 / severe > 180/120 |
| Low blood pressure | systolic < 90 or diastolic < 60, the other number not raised | Low |
International categories: European Society of Hypertension (ESH) 2023, office readings. Home readings use lower thresholds — hypertension from an average of 135/85. A reading with one raised and one low number counts by the raised one.
Pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure
A pulse pressure of 79 mmHg is wide (above 60). In older adults it usually reflects stiffer arteries. Mean arterial pressure — the average pressure perfusing your organs — is about 85 mmHg, within the typical range of about 70–100.
Measure it right
- No caffeine, exercise or smoking for 30 minutes; empty your bladder.
- Sit with back supported, feet flat, for 5 minutes. Don't talk.
- Upper-arm cuff of the right size on bare skin, arm supported at heart level.
- Two readings a minute apart, morning and evening, for 7 days — use the average.
Details: Measuring Blood Pressure Correctly: Step by Step
Check another reading
Nearby readings
Sources: ESH 2023 guideline (international categories) · AHA/ACC 2025 guideline (US categories, unchanged from 2017) · MedlinePlus: Low blood pressure. Reviewed by the BloodPressureOK editorial team · last reviewed October 25, 2026.
This page explains one reading in general terms. High blood pressure is diagnosed from repeated measurements. Not medical advice — talk to your doctor about your readings.