Blood Pressure 195 Over 40–162: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 195, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 195 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 195 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 195/135 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 195/40 to 195/162
- 195/40 ↓
- 195/58
- 195/64
- 195/80
- 195/81
- 195/82
- 195/83
- 195/84
- 195/85
- 195/86
- 195/87
- 195/88
- 195/89
- 195/90
- 195/91
- 195/92
- 195/93
- 195/94
- 195/95
- 195/96
- 195/97
- 195/98
- 195/99
- 195/100
- 195/101
- 195/102
- 195/103
- 195/104
- 195/105
- 195/106
- 195/107
- 195/108
- 195/109
- 195/110
- 195/111
- 195/112
- 195/113
- 195/114
- 195/115
- 195/116
- 195/117
- 195/118
- 195/119
- 195/120
- 195/121
- 195/122
- 195/123
- 195/124
- 195/125
- 195/126
- 195/127
- 195/128
- 195/129
- 195/130
- 195/131
- 195/132
- 195/133
- 195/134
- 195/135
- 195/136
- 195/137
- 195/138
- 195/139
- 195/140
- 195/141
- 195/142
- 195/143
- 195/144
- 195/145
- 195/146
- 195/147
- 195/148
- 195/149
- 195/150
- 195/151
- 195/152
- 195/153
- 195/154
- 195/155
- 195/156
- 195/157
- 195/158
- 195/159
- 195/160
- 195/162
↓ = 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 195 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 195/40 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.