Blood Pressure 157 Over 40–120: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 157, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 157 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 157 reading up: from 157/100 it counts as stage 2, from 157/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 157/97 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 157/40 to 157/99
- 157/40 ↓
- 157/41 ↓
- 157/42 ↓
- 157/43 ↓
- 157/44 ↓
- 157/45 ↓
- 157/46 ↓
- 157/47 ↓
- 157/48 ↓
- 157/49 ↓
- 157/50
- 157/51
- 157/52
- 157/53
- 157/54
- 157/55
- 157/56
- 157/57
- 157/58
- 157/59
- 157/60
- 157/61
- 157/62
- 157/63
- 157/64
- 157/65
- 157/66
- 157/67
- 157/68
- 157/69
- 157/70
- 157/71
- 157/72
- 157/73
- 157/74
- 157/75
- 157/76
- 157/77
- 157/78
- 157/79
- 157/80
- 157/81
- 157/82
- 157/83
- 157/84
- 157/85
- 157/86
- 157/87
- 157/88
- 157/89
- 157/90
- 157/91
- 157/92
- 157/93
- 157/94
- 157/95
- 157/96
- 157/97
- 157/98
- 157/99
↓ = 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 2 157/100 to 157/109
Hypertension stage 3 157/110 to 157/120
What to do with a reading of 157 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 157/110 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 157/49 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.