Blood Pressure 216 Over 80–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 216, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 216 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 216 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 216/156 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 216/80 to 216/160
- 216/80
- 216/81
- 216/82
- 216/83
- 216/84
- 216/85
- 216/86
- 216/87
- 216/88
- 216/89
- 216/90
- 216/91
- 216/92
- 216/93
- 216/94
- 216/95
- 216/96
- 216/97
- 216/98
- 216/99
- 216/100
- 216/101
- 216/102
- 216/103
- 216/104
- 216/105
- 216/106
- 216/107
- 216/108
- 216/109
- 216/110
- 216/111
- 216/112
- 216/113
- 216/114
- 216/115
- 216/116
- 216/117
- 216/118
- 216/119
- 216/120
- 216/121
- 216/122
- 216/123
- 216/124
- 216/125
- 216/126
- 216/127
- 216/128
- 216/129
- 216/130
- 216/131
- 216/132
- 216/133
- 216/134
- 216/135
- 216/136
- 216/137
- 216/138
- 216/139
- 216/140
- 216/141
- 216/142
- 216/143
- 216/144
- 216/145
- 216/146
- 216/147
- 216/148
- 216/149
- 216/150
- 216/151
- 216/152
- 216/153
- 216/154
- 216/155
- 216/156
- 216/157
- 216/158
- 216/159
- 216/160
What to do with a reading of 216 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.