Blood Pressure 115 Over 40–110: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 115, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 115 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 115 reading up, and a lower number below 60 makes it low: below 115/60 it counts as low, from 115/80 it counts as normal, from 115/85 it counts as high normal, from 115/90 it counts as stage 1, from 115/100 it counts as stage 2, from 115/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 115/55 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Low blood pressure 115/40 to 115/59
Ideal (optimal) 115/60 to 115/79
Hypertension stage 1 115/90 to 115/99
Hypertension stage 2 115/100 to 115/109
Hypertension stage 3 115/110
What to do with a reading of 115 over …
A good upper value. Re-check at least once a year, and use the average of several readings rather than a single one. From 115/110 the lower number makes it stage 3: sit quietly for 5 minutes and measure again; if it stays at 110 or higher, contact a doctor the same day, and call 911 (US) or your local emergency number with chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, vision or speech problems, confusion or a severe headache. A lower number below 50 (from 115/49 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.