Blood Pressure 142 Over 40–131: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 142, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 142 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 142 reading up: from 142/100 it counts as stage 2, from 142/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 142/82 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 142/40 to 142/99
- 142/40 ↓
- 142/41 ↓
- 142/42 ↓
- 142/43 ↓
- 142/44 ↓
- 142/45 ↓
- 142/46 ↓
- 142/47 ↓
- 142/48 ↓
- 142/49 ↓
- 142/50
- 142/51
- 142/52
- 142/53
- 142/54
- 142/55
- 142/56
- 142/57
- 142/58
- 142/59
- 142/60
- 142/61
- 142/62
- 142/63
- 142/64
- 142/65
- 142/66
- 142/67
- 142/68
- 142/69
- 142/70
- 142/71
- 142/72
- 142/73
- 142/74
- 142/75
- 142/76
- 142/77
- 142/78
- 142/79
- 142/80
- 142/81
- 142/82
- 142/83
- 142/84
- 142/85
- 142/86
- 142/87
- 142/88
- 142/89
- 142/90
- 142/91
- 142/92
- 142/93
- 142/94
- 142/95
- 142/96
- 142/97
- 142/98
- 142/99
↓ = 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 2 142/100 to 142/109
Hypertension stage 3 142/110 to 142/131
What to do with a reading of 142 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 142/110 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 142/49 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.