Blood Pressure 158 Over 40–139: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 158, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 158 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 158 reading up: from 158/100 it counts as stage 2, from 158/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 158/98 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 1 158/40 to 158/99
- 158/40 ↓
- 158/41 ↓
- 158/42 ↓
- 158/43 ↓
- 158/44 ↓
- 158/45 ↓
- 158/46 ↓
- 158/47 ↓
- 158/48 ↓
- 158/49 ↓
- 158/50
- 158/51
- 158/52
- 158/53
- 158/54
- 158/55
- 158/56
- 158/57
- 158/58
- 158/59
- 158/60
- 158/61
- 158/62
- 158/63
- 158/64
- 158/65
- 158/66
- 158/67
- 158/68
- 158/69
- 158/70
- 158/71
- 158/72
- 158/73
- 158/74
- 158/75
- 158/76
- 158/77
- 158/78
- 158/79
- 158/80
- 158/81
- 158/82
- 158/83
- 158/84
- 158/85
- 158/86
- 158/87
- 158/88
- 158/89
- 158/90
- 158/91
- 158/92
- 158/93
- 158/94
- 158/95
- 158/96
- 158/97
- 158/98
- 158/99
↓ = 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 2 158/100 to 158/109
Hypertension stage 3 158/110 to 158/139
What to do with a reading of 158 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 158/110 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 158/49 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.