Blood Pressure 212 Over 80–199: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 212, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 212 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 212 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 212/152 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 212/80 to 212/199
- 212/80
- 212/81
- 212/82
- 212/83
- 212/84
- 212/85
- 212/86
- 212/87
- 212/88
- 212/89
- 212/90
- 212/91
- 212/92
- 212/93
- 212/94
- 212/95
- 212/96
- 212/97
- 212/98
- 212/99
- 212/100
- 212/101
- 212/102
- 212/103
- 212/104
- 212/105
- 212/106
- 212/107
- 212/108
- 212/109
- 212/110
- 212/111
- 212/112
- 212/113
- 212/114
- 212/115
- 212/116
- 212/117
- 212/118
- 212/119
- 212/120
- 212/121
- 212/122
- 212/123
- 212/124
- 212/125
- 212/126
- 212/127
- 212/128
- 212/129
- 212/130
- 212/131
- 212/132
- 212/133
- 212/134
- 212/135
- 212/136
- 212/137
- 212/138
- 212/139
- 212/140
- 212/141
- 212/142
- 212/143
- 212/144
- 212/145
- 212/146
- 212/147
- 212/148
- 212/149
- 212/150
- 212/151
- 212/152
- 212/153
- 212/154
- 212/155
- 212/156
- 212/157
- 212/158
- 212/159
- 212/160
- 212/199
What to do with a reading of 212 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.