Blood Pressure 145 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 145, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 145 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 145 reading up: from 145/100 it counts as stage 2, from 145/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 145/85 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 145/40 to 145/99
- 145/40 ↓
- 145/41 ↓
- 145/42 ↓
- 145/43 ↓
- 145/44 ↓
- 145/45 ↓
- 145/46 ↓
- 145/47 ↓
- 145/48 ↓
- 145/49 ↓
- 145/50
- 145/51
- 145/52
- 145/53
- 145/54
- 145/55
- 145/56
- 145/57
- 145/58
- 145/59
- 145/60
- 145/61
- 145/62
- 145/63
- 145/64
- 145/65
- 145/66
- 145/67
- 145/68
- 145/69
- 145/70
- 145/71
- 145/72
- 145/73
- 145/74
- 145/75
- 145/76
- 145/77
- 145/78
- 145/79
- 145/80
- 145/81
- 145/82
- 145/83
- 145/84
- 145/85
- 145/86
- 145/87
- 145/88
- 145/89
- 145/90
- 145/91
- 145/92
- 145/93
- 145/94
- 145/95
- 145/96
- 145/97
- 145/98
- 145/99
↓ = 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 2 145/100 to 145/109
Hypertension stage 3 145/110 to 145/120
What to do with a reading of 145 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 145/110 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 145/49 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.