Blood Pressure 137 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 137, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 137 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 137 reading up: from 137/90 it counts as stage 1, from 137/100 it counts as stage 2, from 137/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 137/77 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
High normal 137/40 to 137/89
- 137/40 ↓
- 137/41 ↓
- 137/42 ↓
- 137/43 ↓
- 137/44 ↓
- 137/45 ↓
- 137/46 ↓
- 137/47 ↓
- 137/48 ↓
- 137/49 ↓
- 137/50
- 137/51
- 137/52
- 137/53
- 137/54
- 137/55
- 137/56
- 137/57
- 137/58
- 137/59
- 137/60
- 137/61
- 137/62
- 137/63
- 137/64
- 137/65
- 137/66
- 137/67
- 137/68
- 137/69
- 137/70
- 137/71
- 137/72
- 137/73
- 137/74
- 137/75
- 137/76
- 137/77
- 137/78
- 137/79
- 137/80
- 137/81
- 137/82
- 137/83
- 137/84
- 137/85
- 137/86
- 137/87
- 137/88
- 137/89
↓ = 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 1 137/90 to 137/99
Hypertension stage 2 137/100 to 137/109
Hypertension stage 3 137/110 to 137/120
What to do with a reading of 137 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 137/110 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 137/49 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.