Blood Pressure 133 Over 40–122: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 133, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 133 mmHg is High normal by the international categories (2023 ESH guideline) and Stage 1 hypertension under the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline. The worse of your two numbers decides the category, so a raised diastolic (lower) value moves a 133 reading up: from 133/90 it counts as stage 1, from 133/100 it counts as stage 2, from 133/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 133/73 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
High normal 133/40 to 133/89
- 133/40 ↓
- 133/41 ↓
- 133/42 ↓
- 133/43 ↓
- 133/44 ↓
- 133/45 ↓
- 133/46 ↓
- 133/47 ↓
- 133/48 ↓
- 133/49 ↓
- 133/50
- 133/51
- 133/52
- 133/53
- 133/54
- 133/55
- 133/56
- 133/57
- 133/58
- 133/59
- 133/60
- 133/61
- 133/62
- 133/63
- 133/64
- 133/65
- 133/66
- 133/67
- 133/68
- 133/69
- 133/70
- 133/71
- 133/72
- 133/73
- 133/74
- 133/75
- 133/76
- 133/77
- 133/78
- 133/79
- 133/80
- 133/81
- 133/82
- 133/83
- 133/84
- 133/85
- 133/86
- 133/87
- 133/88
- 133/89
↓ = the lower number is below 50: these readings count as high normal by the upper number, but the low lower number needs checking — see each page.
Hypertension stage 1 133/90 to 133/99
Hypertension stage 2 133/100 to 133/109
Hypertension stage 3 133/110 to 133/122
What to do with a reading of 133 over …
Not hypertension internationally, but worth watching: re-check every few months and look at salt, alcohol, weight and exercise. 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. From 133/110 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 133/49 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.