Blood Pressure 104 Over 40–103: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 104, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 104 mmHg is Ideal (optimal) by the international categories (2023 ESH guideline) and Normal under the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline. The worse of your two numbers decides the category, so a raised diastolic (lower) value moves a 104 reading up, and a lower number below 60 makes it low: below 104/60 it counts as low, from 104/80 it counts as normal, from 104/85 it counts as high normal, from 104/90 it counts as stage 1, from 104/100 it counts as stage 2. Readings below 104/44 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Low blood pressure 104/40 to 104/59
Ideal (optimal) 104/60 to 104/79
Hypertension stage 1 104/90 to 104/99
What to do with a reading of 104 over …
A good upper value. Re-check at least once a year, and use the average of several readings rather than a single one. A lower number below 50 (from 104/49 down) is clearly low: measure again, and if it is confirmed or you feel dizzy, faint or confused, contact a doctor the same day. Keep your readings in a free blood pressure log and read how to measure correctly.
Sources: ESH 2023 guideline · AHA/ACC 2025 guideline.