Blood Pressure 136 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 136, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 136 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 136 reading up: from 136/90 it counts as stage 1, from 136/100 it counts as stage 2, from 136/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 136/76 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
High normal 136/40 to 136/89
- 136/40 ↓
- 136/41 ↓
- 136/42 ↓
- 136/43 ↓
- 136/44 ↓
- 136/45 ↓
- 136/46 ↓
- 136/47 ↓
- 136/48 ↓
- 136/49 ↓
- 136/50
- 136/51
- 136/52
- 136/53
- 136/54
- 136/55
- 136/56
- 136/57
- 136/58
- 136/59
- 136/60
- 136/61
- 136/62
- 136/63
- 136/64
- 136/65
- 136/66
- 136/67
- 136/68
- 136/69
- 136/70
- 136/71
- 136/72
- 136/73
- 136/74
- 136/75
- 136/76
- 136/77
- 136/78
- 136/79
- 136/80
- 136/81
- 136/82
- 136/83
- 136/84
- 136/85
- 136/86
- 136/87
- 136/88
- 136/89
↓ = 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 1 136/90 to 136/99
Hypertension stage 2 136/100 to 136/109
Hypertension stage 3 136/110 to 136/120
What to do with a reading of 136 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 136/110 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 136/49 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.