Blood Pressure 173 Over 60–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 173, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 173 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 173 reading up: from 173/110 it counts as stage 3. Readings below 173/113 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 2 173/60 to 173/109
- 173/60
- 173/61
- 173/62
- 173/63
- 173/64
- 173/65
- 173/66
- 173/67
- 173/68
- 173/69
- 173/70
- 173/71
- 173/72
- 173/73
- 173/74
- 173/75
- 173/76
- 173/77
- 173/78
- 173/79
- 173/80
- 173/81
- 173/82
- 173/83
- 173/84
- 173/85
- 173/86
- 173/87
- 173/88
- 173/89
- 173/90
- 173/91
- 173/92
- 173/93
- 173/94
- 173/95
- 173/96
- 173/97
- 173/98
- 173/99
- 173/100
- 173/101
- 173/102
- 173/103
- 173/104
- 173/105
- 173/106
- 173/107
- 173/108
- 173/109
Hypertension stage 3 173/110 to 173/160
- 173/110
- 173/111
- 173/112
- 173/113
- 173/114
- 173/115
- 173/116
- 173/117
- 173/118
- 173/119
- 173/120
- 173/121
- 173/122
- 173/123
- 173/124
- 173/125
- 173/126
- 173/127
- 173/128
- 173/129
- 173/130
- 173/131
- 173/132
- 173/133
- 173/134
- 173/135
- 173/136
- 173/137
- 173/138
- 173/139
- 173/140
- 173/141
- 173/142
- 173/143
- 173/144
- 173/145
- 173/146
- 173/147
- 173/148
- 173/149
- 173/150
- 173/151
- 173/152
- 173/153
- 173/154
- 173/155
- 173/156
- 173/157
- 173/158
- 173/159
- 173/160
What to do with a reading of 173 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 173/110 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.