Blood Pressure 171 Over 60–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 171, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 171 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 171 reading up: from 171/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 171/111 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 2 171/60 to 171/109
- 171/60
- 171/61
- 171/62
- 171/63
- 171/64
- 171/65
- 171/66
- 171/67
- 171/68
- 171/69
- 171/70
- 171/71
- 171/72
- 171/73
- 171/74
- 171/75
- 171/76
- 171/77
- 171/78
- 171/79
- 171/80
- 171/81
- 171/82
- 171/83
- 171/84
- 171/85
- 171/86
- 171/87
- 171/88
- 171/89
- 171/90
- 171/91
- 171/92
- 171/93
- 171/94
- 171/95
- 171/96
- 171/97
- 171/98
- 171/99
- 171/100
- 171/101
- 171/102
- 171/103
- 171/104
- 171/105
- 171/106
- 171/107
- 171/108
- 171/109
Hypertension stage 3 171/110 to 171/160
- 171/110
- 171/111
- 171/112
- 171/113
- 171/114
- 171/115
- 171/116
- 171/117
- 171/118
- 171/119
- 171/120
- 171/121
- 171/122
- 171/123
- 171/124
- 171/125
- 171/126
- 171/127
- 171/128
- 171/129
- 171/130
- 171/131
- 171/132
- 171/133
- 171/134
- 171/135
- 171/136
- 171/137
- 171/138
- 171/139
- 171/140
- 171/141
- 171/142
- 171/143
- 171/144
- 171/145
- 171/146
- 171/147
- 171/148
- 171/149
- 171/150
- 171/151
- 171/152
- 171/153
- 171/154
- 171/155
- 171/156
- 171/157
- 171/158
- 171/159
- 171/160
What to do with a reading of 171 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 171/110 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.