Blood Pressure 148 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 148, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 148 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 148 reading up: from 148/100 it counts as stage 2, from 148/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 148/88 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 148/40 to 148/99
- 148/40 ↓
- 148/41 ↓
- 148/42 ↓
- 148/43 ↓
- 148/44 ↓
- 148/45 ↓
- 148/46 ↓
- 148/47 ↓
- 148/48 ↓
- 148/49 ↓
- 148/50
- 148/51
- 148/52
- 148/53
- 148/54
- 148/55
- 148/56
- 148/57
- 148/58
- 148/59
- 148/60
- 148/61
- 148/62
- 148/63
- 148/64
- 148/65
- 148/66
- 148/67
- 148/68
- 148/69
- 148/70
- 148/71
- 148/72
- 148/73
- 148/74
- 148/75
- 148/76
- 148/77
- 148/78
- 148/79
- 148/80
- 148/81
- 148/82
- 148/83
- 148/84
- 148/85
- 148/86
- 148/87
- 148/88
- 148/89
- 148/90
- 148/91
- 148/92
- 148/93
- 148/94
- 148/95
- 148/96
- 148/97
- 148/98
- 148/99
↓ = 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 2 148/100 to 148/109
Hypertension stage 3 148/110 to 148/120
What to do with a reading of 148 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 148/110 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 148/49 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.