Blood Pressure 198 Over 71–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 198, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 198 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 198 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 198/138 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 198/71 to 198/160
- 198/71
- 198/80
- 198/81
- 198/82
- 198/83
- 198/84
- 198/85
- 198/86
- 198/87
- 198/88
- 198/89
- 198/90
- 198/91
- 198/92
- 198/93
- 198/94
- 198/95
- 198/96
- 198/97
- 198/98
- 198/99
- 198/100
- 198/101
- 198/102
- 198/103
- 198/104
- 198/105
- 198/106
- 198/107
- 198/108
- 198/109
- 198/110
- 198/111
- 198/112
- 198/113
- 198/114
- 198/115
- 198/116
- 198/117
- 198/118
- 198/119
- 198/120
- 198/121
- 198/122
- 198/123
- 198/124
- 198/125
- 198/126
- 198/127
- 198/128
- 198/129
- 198/130
- 198/131
- 198/132
- 198/133
- 198/134
- 198/135
- 198/136
- 198/137
- 198/138
- 198/139
- 198/140
- 198/141
- 198/142
- 198/143
- 198/144
- 198/145
- 198/146
- 198/147
- 198/148
- 198/149
- 198/150
- 198/151
- 198/152
- 198/153
- 198/154
- 198/155
- 198/156
- 198/157
- 198/158
- 198/159
- 198/160
What to do with a reading of 198 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.