Blood Pressure 154 Over 40–143: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 154, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 154 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 154 reading up: from 154/100 it counts as stage 2, from 154/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 154/94 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 154/40 to 154/99
- 154/40 ↓
- 154/41 ↓
- 154/42 ↓
- 154/43 ↓
- 154/44 ↓
- 154/45 ↓
- 154/46 ↓
- 154/47 ↓
- 154/48 ↓
- 154/49 ↓
- 154/50
- 154/51
- 154/52
- 154/53
- 154/54
- 154/55
- 154/56
- 154/57
- 154/58
- 154/59
- 154/60
- 154/61
- 154/62
- 154/63
- 154/64
- 154/65
- 154/66
- 154/67
- 154/68
- 154/69
- 154/70
- 154/71
- 154/72
- 154/73
- 154/74
- 154/75
- 154/76
- 154/77
- 154/78
- 154/79
- 154/80
- 154/81
- 154/82
- 154/83
- 154/84
- 154/85
- 154/86
- 154/87
- 154/88
- 154/89
- 154/90
- 154/91
- 154/92
- 154/93
- 154/94
- 154/95
- 154/96
- 154/97
- 154/98
- 154/99
↓ = 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 2 154/100 to 154/109
Hypertension stage 3 154/110 to 154/143
What to do with a reading of 154 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 154/110 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 154/49 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.