Blood Pressure 147 Over 40–140: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 147, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 147 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 147 reading up: from 147/100 it counts as stage 2, from 147/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 147/87 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 147/40 to 147/99
- 147/40 ↓
- 147/41 ↓
- 147/42 ↓
- 147/43 ↓
- 147/44 ↓
- 147/45 ↓
- 147/46 ↓
- 147/47 ↓
- 147/48 ↓
- 147/49 ↓
- 147/50
- 147/51
- 147/52
- 147/53
- 147/54
- 147/55
- 147/56
- 147/57
- 147/58
- 147/59
- 147/60
- 147/61
- 147/62
- 147/63
- 147/64
- 147/65
- 147/66
- 147/67
- 147/68
- 147/69
- 147/70
- 147/71
- 147/72
- 147/73
- 147/74
- 147/75
- 147/76
- 147/77
- 147/78
- 147/79
- 147/80
- 147/81
- 147/82
- 147/83
- 147/84
- 147/85
- 147/86
- 147/87
- 147/88
- 147/89
- 147/90
- 147/91
- 147/92
- 147/93
- 147/94
- 147/95
- 147/96
- 147/97
- 147/98
- 147/99
↓ = 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 2 147/100 to 147/109
Hypertension stage 3 147/110 to 147/140
What to do with a reading of 147 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 147/110 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 147/49 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.