Blood Pressure 138 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 138, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 138 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 138 reading up: from 138/90 it counts as stage 1, from 138/100 it counts as stage 2, from 138/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 138/78 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
High normal 138/40 to 138/89
- 138/40 ↓
- 138/41 ↓
- 138/42 ↓
- 138/43 ↓
- 138/44 ↓
- 138/45 ↓
- 138/46 ↓
- 138/47 ↓
- 138/48 ↓
- 138/49 ↓
- 138/50
- 138/51
- 138/52
- 138/53
- 138/54
- 138/55
- 138/56
- 138/57
- 138/58
- 138/59
- 138/60
- 138/61
- 138/62
- 138/63
- 138/64
- 138/65
- 138/66
- 138/67
- 138/68
- 138/69
- 138/70
- 138/71
- 138/72
- 138/73
- 138/74
- 138/75
- 138/76
- 138/77
- 138/78
- 138/79
- 138/80
- 138/81
- 138/82
- 138/83
- 138/84
- 138/85
- 138/86
- 138/87
- 138/88
- 138/89
↓ = 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 1 138/90 to 138/99
Hypertension stage 2 138/100 to 138/109
Hypertension stage 3 138/110 to 138/120
What to do with a reading of 138 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 138/110 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 138/49 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.