Blood Pressure 144 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 144, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 144 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 144 reading up: from 144/100 it counts as stage 2, from 144/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 144/84 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 144/40 to 144/99
- 144/40 ↓
- 144/41 ↓
- 144/42 ↓
- 144/43 ↓
- 144/44 ↓
- 144/45 ↓
- 144/46 ↓
- 144/47 ↓
- 144/48 ↓
- 144/49 ↓
- 144/50
- 144/51
- 144/52
- 144/53
- 144/54
- 144/55
- 144/56
- 144/57
- 144/58
- 144/59
- 144/60
- 144/61
- 144/62
- 144/63
- 144/64
- 144/65
- 144/66
- 144/67
- 144/68
- 144/69
- 144/70
- 144/71
- 144/72
- 144/73
- 144/74
- 144/75
- 144/76
- 144/77
- 144/78
- 144/79
- 144/80
- 144/81
- 144/82
- 144/83
- 144/84
- 144/85
- 144/86
- 144/87
- 144/88
- 144/89
- 144/90
- 144/91
- 144/92
- 144/93
- 144/94
- 144/95
- 144/96
- 144/97
- 144/98
- 144/99
↓ = 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 2 144/100 to 144/109
Hypertension stage 3 144/110 to 144/120
What to do with a reading of 144 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 144/110 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 144/49 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.