Blood Pressure 189 Over 76–167: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 189, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 189 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 189 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 189/129 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 189/76 to 189/167
- 189/76
- 189/77
- 189/80
- 189/81
- 189/82
- 189/83
- 189/84
- 189/85
- 189/86
- 189/87
- 189/88
- 189/89
- 189/90
- 189/91
- 189/92
- 189/93
- 189/94
- 189/95
- 189/96
- 189/97
- 189/98
- 189/99
- 189/100
- 189/101
- 189/102
- 189/103
- 189/104
- 189/105
- 189/106
- 189/107
- 189/108
- 189/109
- 189/110
- 189/111
- 189/112
- 189/113
- 189/114
- 189/115
- 189/116
- 189/117
- 189/118
- 189/119
- 189/120
- 189/121
- 189/122
- 189/123
- 189/124
- 189/125
- 189/126
- 189/127
- 189/128
- 189/129
- 189/130
- 189/131
- 189/132
- 189/133
- 189/134
- 189/135
- 189/136
- 189/137
- 189/138
- 189/139
- 189/140
- 189/141
- 189/142
- 189/143
- 189/144
- 189/145
- 189/146
- 189/147
- 189/148
- 189/149
- 189/150
- 189/151
- 189/152
- 189/153
- 189/154
- 189/155
- 189/156
- 189/157
- 189/158
- 189/159
- 189/160
- 189/167
What to do with a reading of 189 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.