Blood Pressure 187 Over 75–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 187, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 187 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 187 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 187/127 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 187/75 to 187/160
- 187/75
- 187/80
- 187/81
- 187/82
- 187/83
- 187/84
- 187/85
- 187/86
- 187/87
- 187/88
- 187/89
- 187/90
- 187/91
- 187/92
- 187/93
- 187/94
- 187/95
- 187/96
- 187/97
- 187/98
- 187/99
- 187/100
- 187/101
- 187/102
- 187/103
- 187/104
- 187/105
- 187/106
- 187/107
- 187/108
- 187/109
- 187/110
- 187/111
- 187/112
- 187/113
- 187/114
- 187/115
- 187/116
- 187/117
- 187/118
- 187/119
- 187/120
- 187/121
- 187/122
- 187/123
- 187/124
- 187/125
- 187/126
- 187/127
- 187/128
- 187/129
- 187/130
- 187/131
- 187/132
- 187/133
- 187/134
- 187/135
- 187/136
- 187/137
- 187/138
- 187/139
- 187/140
- 187/141
- 187/142
- 187/143
- 187/144
- 187/145
- 187/146
- 187/147
- 187/148
- 187/149
- 187/150
- 187/151
- 187/152
- 187/153
- 187/154
- 187/155
- 187/156
- 187/157
- 187/158
- 187/159
- 187/160
What to do with a reading of 187 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. Keep your readings in a free blood pressure log and read how to measure correctly.
Sources: ESH 2023 guideline · AHA/ACC 2025 guideline.