Blood Pressure 139 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 139, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 139 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 139 reading up: from 139/90 it counts as stage 1, from 139/100 it counts as stage 2, from 139/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 139/79 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
High normal 139/40 to 139/89
- 139/40 ↓
- 139/41 ↓
- 139/42 ↓
- 139/43 ↓
- 139/44 ↓
- 139/45 ↓
- 139/46 ↓
- 139/47 ↓
- 139/48 ↓
- 139/49 ↓
- 139/50
- 139/51
- 139/52
- 139/53
- 139/54
- 139/55
- 139/56
- 139/57
- 139/58
- 139/59
- 139/60
- 139/61
- 139/62
- 139/63
- 139/64
- 139/65
- 139/66
- 139/67
- 139/68
- 139/69
- 139/70
- 139/71
- 139/72
- 139/73
- 139/74
- 139/75
- 139/76
- 139/77
- 139/78
- 139/79
- 139/80
- 139/81
- 139/82
- 139/83
- 139/84
- 139/85
- 139/86
- 139/87
- 139/88
- 139/89
↓ = 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 1 139/90 to 139/99
Hypertension stage 2 139/100 to 139/109
Hypertension stage 3 139/110 to 139/120
What to do with a reading of 139 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 139/110 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 139/49 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.