Blood Pressure 149 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 149, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 149 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 149 reading up: from 149/100 it counts as stage 2, from 149/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 149/89 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 149/40 to 149/99
- 149/40 ↓
- 149/41 ↓
- 149/42 ↓
- 149/43 ↓
- 149/44 ↓
- 149/45 ↓
- 149/46 ↓
- 149/47 ↓
- 149/48 ↓
- 149/49 ↓
- 149/50
- 149/51
- 149/52
- 149/53
- 149/54
- 149/55
- 149/56
- 149/57
- 149/58
- 149/59
- 149/60
- 149/61
- 149/62
- 149/63
- 149/64
- 149/65
- 149/66
- 149/67
- 149/68
- 149/69
- 149/70
- 149/71
- 149/72
- 149/73
- 149/74
- 149/75
- 149/76
- 149/77
- 149/78
- 149/79
- 149/80
- 149/81
- 149/82
- 149/83
- 149/84
- 149/85
- 149/86
- 149/87
- 149/88
- 149/89
- 149/90
- 149/91
- 149/92
- 149/93
- 149/94
- 149/95
- 149/96
- 149/97
- 149/98
- 149/99
↓ = 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 2 149/100 to 149/109
Hypertension stage 3 149/110 to 149/120
What to do with a reading of 149 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 149/110 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 149/49 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.