Blood Pressure 183 Over 45–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 183, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 183 mmHg is Hypertension stage 3 by the international categories (2023 ESH guideline) and Severe hypertension under the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline. The worse of your two numbers decides the category, so a raised diastolic (lower) value moves a 183 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 183/123 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 183/45 to 183/160
- 183/45 ↓
- 183/77
- 183/80
- 183/81
- 183/82
- 183/83
- 183/84
- 183/85
- 183/86
- 183/87
- 183/88
- 183/89
- 183/90
- 183/91
- 183/92
- 183/93
- 183/94
- 183/95
- 183/96
- 183/97
- 183/98
- 183/99
- 183/100
- 183/101
- 183/102
- 183/103
- 183/104
- 183/105
- 183/106
- 183/107
- 183/108
- 183/109
- 183/110
- 183/111
- 183/112
- 183/113
- 183/114
- 183/115
- 183/116
- 183/117
- 183/118
- 183/119
- 183/120
- 183/121
- 183/122
- 183/123
- 183/124
- 183/125
- 183/126
- 183/127
- 183/128
- 183/129
- 183/130
- 183/131
- 183/132
- 183/133
- 183/134
- 183/135
- 183/136
- 183/137
- 183/138
- 183/139
- 183/140
- 183/141
- 183/142
- 183/143
- 183/144
- 183/145
- 183/146
- 183/147
- 183/148
- 183/149
- 183/150
- 183/151
- 183/152
- 183/153
- 183/154
- 183/155
- 183/156
- 183/157
- 183/158
- 183/159
- 183/160
↓ = the lower number is below 50: these readings count as stage 3 by the upper number, but the low lower number needs checking — see each page.
What to do with a reading of 183 over …
Sit quietly for 5 minutes and measure again. If it is still 180/110 or higher, contact a doctor the same day — and call 911 (US) or your local emergency number right away if you have 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 183/45 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.