Blood Pressure 155 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 155, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 155 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 155 reading up: from 155/100 it counts as stage 2, from 155/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 155/95 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 155/40 to 155/99
- 155/40 ↓
- 155/41 ↓
- 155/42 ↓
- 155/43 ↓
- 155/44 ↓
- 155/45 ↓
- 155/46 ↓
- 155/47 ↓
- 155/48 ↓
- 155/49 ↓
- 155/50
- 155/51
- 155/52
- 155/53
- 155/54
- 155/55
- 155/56
- 155/57
- 155/58
- 155/59
- 155/60
- 155/61
- 155/62
- 155/63
- 155/64
- 155/65
- 155/66
- 155/67
- 155/68
- 155/69
- 155/70
- 155/71
- 155/72
- 155/73
- 155/74
- 155/75
- 155/76
- 155/77
- 155/78
- 155/79
- 155/80
- 155/81
- 155/82
- 155/83
- 155/84
- 155/85
- 155/86
- 155/87
- 155/88
- 155/89
- 155/90
- 155/91
- 155/92
- 155/93
- 155/94
- 155/95
- 155/96
- 155/97
- 155/98
- 155/99
↓ = 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 2 155/100 to 155/109
Hypertension stage 3 155/110 to 155/120
What to do with a reading of 155 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 155/110 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 155/49 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.