Blood Pressure 188 Over 80–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 188, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 188 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 188 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 188/128 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 188/80 to 188/160
- 188/80
- 188/81
- 188/82
- 188/83
- 188/84
- 188/85
- 188/86
- 188/87
- 188/88
- 188/89
- 188/90
- 188/91
- 188/92
- 188/93
- 188/94
- 188/95
- 188/96
- 188/97
- 188/98
- 188/99
- 188/100
- 188/101
- 188/102
- 188/103
- 188/104
- 188/105
- 188/106
- 188/107
- 188/108
- 188/109
- 188/110
- 188/111
- 188/112
- 188/113
- 188/114
- 188/115
- 188/116
- 188/117
- 188/118
- 188/119
- 188/120
- 188/121
- 188/122
- 188/123
- 188/124
- 188/125
- 188/126
- 188/127
- 188/128
- 188/129
- 188/130
- 188/131
- 188/132
- 188/133
- 188/134
- 188/135
- 188/136
- 188/137
- 188/138
- 188/139
- 188/140
- 188/141
- 188/142
- 188/143
- 188/144
- 188/145
- 188/146
- 188/147
- 188/148
- 188/149
- 188/150
- 188/151
- 188/152
- 188/153
- 188/154
- 188/155
- 188/156
- 188/157
- 188/158
- 188/159
- 188/160
What to do with a reading of 188 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.