Blood Pressure 150 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 150, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 150 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 150 reading up: from 150/100 it counts as stage 2, from 150/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 150/90 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 150/40 to 150/99
- 150/40 ↓
- 150/41 ↓
- 150/42 ↓
- 150/43 ↓
- 150/44 ↓
- 150/45 ↓
- 150/46 ↓
- 150/47 ↓
- 150/48 ↓
- 150/49 ↓
- 150/50
- 150/51
- 150/52
- 150/53
- 150/54
- 150/55
- 150/56
- 150/57
- 150/58
- 150/59
- 150/60
- 150/61
- 150/62
- 150/63
- 150/64
- 150/65
- 150/66
- 150/67
- 150/68
- 150/69
- 150/70
- 150/71
- 150/72
- 150/73
- 150/74
- 150/75
- 150/76
- 150/77
- 150/78
- 150/79
- 150/80
- 150/81
- 150/82
- 150/83
- 150/84
- 150/85
- 150/86
- 150/87
- 150/88
- 150/89
- 150/90
- 150/91
- 150/92
- 150/93
- 150/94
- 150/95
- 150/96
- 150/97
- 150/98
- 150/99
↓ = 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 2 150/100 to 150/109
Hypertension stage 3 150/110 to 150/120
What to do with a reading of 150 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 150/110 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 150/49 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.