Blood Pressure 172 Over 60–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 172, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 172 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 172 reading up: from 172/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 172/112 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 2 172/60 to 172/109
- 172/60
- 172/61
- 172/62
- 172/63
- 172/64
- 172/65
- 172/66
- 172/67
- 172/68
- 172/69
- 172/70
- 172/71
- 172/72
- 172/73
- 172/74
- 172/75
- 172/76
- 172/77
- 172/78
- 172/79
- 172/80
- 172/81
- 172/82
- 172/83
- 172/84
- 172/85
- 172/86
- 172/87
- 172/88
- 172/89
- 172/90
- 172/91
- 172/92
- 172/93
- 172/94
- 172/95
- 172/96
- 172/97
- 172/98
- 172/99
- 172/100
- 172/101
- 172/102
- 172/103
- 172/104
- 172/105
- 172/106
- 172/107
- 172/108
- 172/109
Hypertension stage 3 172/110 to 172/160
- 172/110
- 172/111
- 172/112
- 172/113
- 172/114
- 172/115
- 172/116
- 172/117
- 172/118
- 172/119
- 172/120
- 172/121
- 172/122
- 172/123
- 172/124
- 172/125
- 172/126
- 172/127
- 172/128
- 172/129
- 172/130
- 172/131
- 172/132
- 172/133
- 172/134
- 172/135
- 172/136
- 172/137
- 172/138
- 172/139
- 172/140
- 172/141
- 172/142
- 172/143
- 172/144
- 172/145
- 172/146
- 172/147
- 172/148
- 172/149
- 172/150
- 172/151
- 172/152
- 172/153
- 172/154
- 172/155
- 172/156
- 172/157
- 172/158
- 172/159
- 172/160
What to do with a reading of 172 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 172/110 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.