Blood Pressure 135 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 135, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 135 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 135 reading up: from 135/90 it counts as stage 1, from 135/100 it counts as stage 2, from 135/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 135/75 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
High normal 135/40 to 135/89
- 135/40 ↓
- 135/41 ↓
- 135/42 ↓
- 135/43 ↓
- 135/44 ↓
- 135/45 ↓
- 135/46 ↓
- 135/47 ↓
- 135/48 ↓
- 135/49 ↓
- 135/50
- 135/51
- 135/52
- 135/53
- 135/54
- 135/55
- 135/56
- 135/57
- 135/58
- 135/59
- 135/60
- 135/61
- 135/62
- 135/63
- 135/64
- 135/65
- 135/66
- 135/67
- 135/68
- 135/69
- 135/70
- 135/71
- 135/72
- 135/73
- 135/74
- 135/75
- 135/76
- 135/77
- 135/78
- 135/79
- 135/80
- 135/81
- 135/82
- 135/83
- 135/84
- 135/85
- 135/86
- 135/87
- 135/88
- 135/89
↓ = 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 1 135/90 to 135/99
Hypertension stage 2 135/100 to 135/109
Hypertension stage 3 135/110 to 135/120
What to do with a reading of 135 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 135/110 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 135/49 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.