Blood Pressure 140 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 140, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 140 mmHg is Hypertension stage 1 by the international categories (2023 ESH guideline) and Stage 2 hypertension under the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline. The worse of your two numbers decides the category, so a raised diastolic (lower) value moves a 140 reading up: from 140/100 it counts as stage 2, from 140/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 140/80 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 140/40 to 140/99
- 140/40 ↓
- 140/41 ↓
- 140/42 ↓
- 140/43 ↓
- 140/44 ↓
- 140/45 ↓
- 140/46 ↓
- 140/47 ↓
- 140/48 ↓
- 140/49 ↓
- 140/50
- 140/51
- 140/52
- 140/53
- 140/54
- 140/55
- 140/56
- 140/57
- 140/58
- 140/59
- 140/60
- 140/61
- 140/62
- 140/63
- 140/64
- 140/65
- 140/66
- 140/67
- 140/68
- 140/69
- 140/70
- 140/71
- 140/72
- 140/73
- 140/74
- 140/75
- 140/76
- 140/77
- 140/78
- 140/79
- 140/80
- 140/81
- 140/82
- 140/83
- 140/84
- 140/85
- 140/86
- 140/87
- 140/88
- 140/89
- 140/90
- 140/91
- 140/92
- 140/93
- 140/94
- 140/95
- 140/96
- 140/97
- 140/98
- 140/99
↓ = the lower number is below 50: these readings count as stage 1 by the upper number, but the low lower number needs checking — see each page.
Hypertension stage 2 140/100 to 140/109
Hypertension stage 3 140/110 to 140/120
What to do with a reading of 140 over …
Measure at home for 7 days, morning and evening, and take the average to your doctor. A home average of 135/85 or more confirms high blood pressure. From 140/110 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 140/49 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.