Blood Pressure 204 Over 72–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 204, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 204 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 204 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 204/144 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 204/72 to 204/160
- 204/72
- 204/80
- 204/81
- 204/82
- 204/83
- 204/84
- 204/85
- 204/86
- 204/87
- 204/88
- 204/89
- 204/90
- 204/91
- 204/92
- 204/93
- 204/94
- 204/95
- 204/96
- 204/97
- 204/98
- 204/99
- 204/100
- 204/101
- 204/102
- 204/103
- 204/104
- 204/105
- 204/106
- 204/107
- 204/108
- 204/109
- 204/110
- 204/111
- 204/112
- 204/113
- 204/114
- 204/115
- 204/116
- 204/117
- 204/118
- 204/119
- 204/120
- 204/121
- 204/122
- 204/123
- 204/124
- 204/125
- 204/126
- 204/127
- 204/128
- 204/129
- 204/130
- 204/131
- 204/132
- 204/133
- 204/134
- 204/135
- 204/136
- 204/137
- 204/138
- 204/139
- 204/140
- 204/141
- 204/142
- 204/143
- 204/144
- 204/145
- 204/146
- 204/147
- 204/148
- 204/149
- 204/150
- 204/151
- 204/152
- 204/153
- 204/154
- 204/155
- 204/156
- 204/157
- 204/158
- 204/159
- 204/160
What to do with a reading of 204 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.