Blood Pressure 152 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 152, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 152 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 152 reading up: from 152/100 it counts as stage 2, from 152/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 152/92 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 152/40 to 152/99
- 152/40 ↓
- 152/41 ↓
- 152/42 ↓
- 152/43 ↓
- 152/44 ↓
- 152/45 ↓
- 152/46 ↓
- 152/47 ↓
- 152/48 ↓
- 152/49 ↓
- 152/50
- 152/51
- 152/52
- 152/53
- 152/54
- 152/55
- 152/56
- 152/57
- 152/58
- 152/59
- 152/60
- 152/61
- 152/62
- 152/63
- 152/64
- 152/65
- 152/66
- 152/67
- 152/68
- 152/69
- 152/70
- 152/71
- 152/72
- 152/73
- 152/74
- 152/75
- 152/76
- 152/77
- 152/78
- 152/79
- 152/80
- 152/81
- 152/82
- 152/83
- 152/84
- 152/85
- 152/86
- 152/87
- 152/88
- 152/89
- 152/90
- 152/91
- 152/92
- 152/93
- 152/94
- 152/95
- 152/96
- 152/97
- 152/98
- 152/99
↓ = 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 2 152/100 to 152/109
Hypertension stage 3 152/110 to 152/120
What to do with a reading of 152 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 152/110 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 152/49 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.