Blood Pressure 162 Over 56–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 162, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 162 mmHg is Hypertension stage 2 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 162 reading up: from 162/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 162/102 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 2 162/56 to 162/109
- 162/56
- 162/60
- 162/61
- 162/62
- 162/63
- 162/64
- 162/65
- 162/66
- 162/67
- 162/68
- 162/69
- 162/70
- 162/71
- 162/72
- 162/73
- 162/74
- 162/75
- 162/76
- 162/77
- 162/78
- 162/79
- 162/80
- 162/81
- 162/82
- 162/83
- 162/84
- 162/85
- 162/86
- 162/87
- 162/88
- 162/89
- 162/90
- 162/91
- 162/92
- 162/93
- 162/94
- 162/95
- 162/96
- 162/97
- 162/98
- 162/99
- 162/100
- 162/101
- 162/102
- 162/103
- 162/104
- 162/105
- 162/106
- 162/107
- 162/108
- 162/109
Hypertension stage 3 162/110 to 162/160
- 162/110
- 162/111
- 162/112
- 162/113
- 162/114
- 162/115
- 162/116
- 162/117
- 162/118
- 162/119
- 162/120
- 162/121
- 162/122
- 162/123
- 162/124
- 162/125
- 162/126
- 162/127
- 162/128
- 162/129
- 162/130
- 162/131
- 162/132
- 162/133
- 162/134
- 162/135
- 162/136
- 162/137
- 162/138
- 162/139
- 162/140
- 162/141
- 162/142
- 162/143
- 162/144
- 162/145
- 162/146
- 162/147
- 162/148
- 162/149
- 162/150
- 162/151
- 162/152
- 162/153
- 162/154
- 162/155
- 162/156
- 162/157
- 162/158
- 162/159
- 162/160
What to do with a reading of 162 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 162/110 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. Keep your readings in a free blood pressure log and read how to measure correctly.
Sources: ESH 2023 guideline · AHA/ACC 2025 guideline.