Blood Pressure 215 Over 80–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 215, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 215 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 215 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 215/155 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 215/80 to 215/160
- 215/80
- 215/81
- 215/82
- 215/83
- 215/84
- 215/85
- 215/86
- 215/87
- 215/88
- 215/89
- 215/90
- 215/91
- 215/92
- 215/93
- 215/94
- 215/95
- 215/96
- 215/97
- 215/98
- 215/99
- 215/100
- 215/101
- 215/102
- 215/103
- 215/104
- 215/105
- 215/106
- 215/107
- 215/108
- 215/109
- 215/110
- 215/111
- 215/112
- 215/113
- 215/114
- 215/115
- 215/116
- 215/117
- 215/118
- 215/119
- 215/120
- 215/121
- 215/122
- 215/123
- 215/124
- 215/125
- 215/126
- 215/127
- 215/128
- 215/129
- 215/130
- 215/131
- 215/132
- 215/133
- 215/134
- 215/135
- 215/136
- 215/137
- 215/138
- 215/139
- 215/140
- 215/141
- 215/142
- 215/143
- 215/144
- 215/145
- 215/146
- 215/147
- 215/148
- 215/149
- 215/150
- 215/151
- 215/152
- 215/153
- 215/154
- 215/155
- 215/156
- 215/157
- 215/158
- 215/159
- 215/160
What to do with a reading of 215 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.