Blood Pressure 214 Over 78–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 214, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 214 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 214 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 214/154 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 214/78 to 214/160
- 214/78
- 214/80
- 214/81
- 214/82
- 214/83
- 214/84
- 214/85
- 214/86
- 214/87
- 214/88
- 214/89
- 214/90
- 214/91
- 214/92
- 214/93
- 214/94
- 214/95
- 214/96
- 214/97
- 214/98
- 214/99
- 214/100
- 214/101
- 214/102
- 214/103
- 214/104
- 214/105
- 214/106
- 214/107
- 214/108
- 214/109
- 214/110
- 214/111
- 214/112
- 214/113
- 214/114
- 214/115
- 214/116
- 214/117
- 214/118
- 214/119
- 214/120
- 214/121
- 214/122
- 214/123
- 214/124
- 214/125
- 214/126
- 214/127
- 214/128
- 214/129
- 214/130
- 214/131
- 214/132
- 214/133
- 214/134
- 214/135
- 214/136
- 214/137
- 214/138
- 214/139
- 214/140
- 214/141
- 214/142
- 214/143
- 214/144
- 214/145
- 214/146
- 214/147
- 214/148
- 214/149
- 214/150
- 214/151
- 214/152
- 214/153
- 214/154
- 214/155
- 214/156
- 214/157
- 214/158
- 214/159
- 214/160
What to do with a reading of 214 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.