Blood Pressure 151 Over 40–133: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 151, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 151 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 151 reading up: from 151/100 it counts as stage 2, from 151/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 151/91 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 151/40 to 151/99
- 151/40 ↓
- 151/41 ↓
- 151/42 ↓
- 151/43 ↓
- 151/44 ↓
- 151/45 ↓
- 151/46 ↓
- 151/47 ↓
- 151/48 ↓
- 151/49 ↓
- 151/50
- 151/51
- 151/52
- 151/53
- 151/54
- 151/55
- 151/56
- 151/57
- 151/58
- 151/59
- 151/60
- 151/61
- 151/62
- 151/63
- 151/64
- 151/65
- 151/66
- 151/67
- 151/68
- 151/69
- 151/70
- 151/71
- 151/72
- 151/73
- 151/74
- 151/75
- 151/76
- 151/77
- 151/78
- 151/79
- 151/80
- 151/81
- 151/82
- 151/83
- 151/84
- 151/85
- 151/86
- 151/87
- 151/88
- 151/89
- 151/90
- 151/91
- 151/92
- 151/93
- 151/94
- 151/95
- 151/96
- 151/97
- 151/98
- 151/99
↓ = 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 2 151/100 to 151/109
Hypertension stage 3 151/110 to 151/133
What to do with a reading of 151 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 151/110 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 151/49 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.