Blood Pressure 153 Over 40–128: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 153, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 153 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 153 reading up: from 153/100 it counts as stage 2, from 153/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 153/93 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 153/40 to 153/99
- 153/40 ↓
- 153/41 ↓
- 153/42 ↓
- 153/43 ↓
- 153/44 ↓
- 153/45 ↓
- 153/46 ↓
- 153/47 ↓
- 153/48 ↓
- 153/49 ↓
- 153/50
- 153/51
- 153/52
- 153/53
- 153/54
- 153/55
- 153/56
- 153/57
- 153/58
- 153/59
- 153/60
- 153/61
- 153/62
- 153/63
- 153/64
- 153/65
- 153/66
- 153/67
- 153/68
- 153/69
- 153/70
- 153/71
- 153/72
- 153/73
- 153/74
- 153/75
- 153/76
- 153/77
- 153/78
- 153/79
- 153/80
- 153/81
- 153/82
- 153/83
- 153/84
- 153/85
- 153/86
- 153/87
- 153/88
- 153/89
- 153/90
- 153/91
- 153/92
- 153/93
- 153/94
- 153/95
- 153/96
- 153/97
- 153/98
- 153/99
↓ = 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 2 153/100 to 153/109
Hypertension stage 3 153/110 to 153/128
What to do with a reading of 153 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 153/110 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 153/49 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.