Blood Pressure 141 Over 40–140: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 141, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 141 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 141 reading up: from 141/100 it counts as stage 2, from 141/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 141/81 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 141/40 to 141/99
- 141/40 ↓
- 141/41 ↓
- 141/42 ↓
- 141/43 ↓
- 141/44 ↓
- 141/45 ↓
- 141/46 ↓
- 141/47 ↓
- 141/48 ↓
- 141/49 ↓
- 141/50
- 141/51
- 141/52
- 141/53
- 141/54
- 141/55
- 141/56
- 141/57
- 141/58
- 141/59
- 141/60
- 141/61
- 141/62
- 141/63
- 141/64
- 141/65
- 141/66
- 141/67
- 141/68
- 141/69
- 141/70
- 141/71
- 141/72
- 141/73
- 141/74
- 141/75
- 141/76
- 141/77
- 141/78
- 141/79
- 141/80
- 141/81
- 141/82
- 141/83
- 141/84
- 141/85
- 141/86
- 141/87
- 141/88
- 141/89
- 141/90
- 141/91
- 141/92
- 141/93
- 141/94
- 141/95
- 141/96
- 141/97
- 141/98
- 141/99
↓ = 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 2 141/100 to 141/109
Hypertension stage 3 141/110 to 141/140
What to do with a reading of 141 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 141/110 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 141/49 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.