Blood Pressure 143 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 143, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 143 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 143 reading up: from 143/100 it counts as stage 2, from 143/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 143/83 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 143/40 to 143/99
- 143/40 ↓
- 143/41 ↓
- 143/42 ↓
- 143/43 ↓
- 143/44 ↓
- 143/45 ↓
- 143/46 ↓
- 143/47 ↓
- 143/48 ↓
- 143/49 ↓
- 143/50
- 143/51
- 143/52
- 143/53
- 143/54
- 143/55
- 143/56
- 143/57
- 143/58
- 143/59
- 143/60
- 143/61
- 143/62
- 143/63
- 143/64
- 143/65
- 143/66
- 143/67
- 143/68
- 143/69
- 143/70
- 143/71
- 143/72
- 143/73
- 143/74
- 143/75
- 143/76
- 143/77
- 143/78
- 143/79
- 143/80
- 143/81
- 143/82
- 143/83
- 143/84
- 143/85
- 143/86
- 143/87
- 143/88
- 143/89
- 143/90
- 143/91
- 143/92
- 143/93
- 143/94
- 143/95
- 143/96
- 143/97
- 143/98
- 143/99
↓ = 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 2 143/100 to 143/109
Hypertension stage 3 143/110 to 143/120
What to do with a reading of 143 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 143/110 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 143/49 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.