Blood Pressure 217 Over 80–160: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 217, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 217 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 217 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 217/157 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 217/80 to 217/160
- 217/80
- 217/81
- 217/82
- 217/83
- 217/84
- 217/85
- 217/86
- 217/87
- 217/88
- 217/89
- 217/90
- 217/91
- 217/92
- 217/93
- 217/94
- 217/95
- 217/96
- 217/97
- 217/98
- 217/99
- 217/100
- 217/101
- 217/102
- 217/103
- 217/104
- 217/105
- 217/106
- 217/107
- 217/108
- 217/109
- 217/110
- 217/111
- 217/112
- 217/113
- 217/114
- 217/115
- 217/116
- 217/117
- 217/118
- 217/119
- 217/120
- 217/121
- 217/122
- 217/123
- 217/124
- 217/125
- 217/126
- 217/127
- 217/128
- 217/129
- 217/130
- 217/131
- 217/132
- 217/133
- 217/134
- 217/135
- 217/136
- 217/137
- 217/138
- 217/139
- 217/140
- 217/141
- 217/142
- 217/143
- 217/144
- 217/145
- 217/146
- 217/147
- 217/148
- 217/149
- 217/150
- 217/151
- 217/152
- 217/153
- 217/154
- 217/155
- 217/156
- 217/157
- 217/158
- 217/159
- 217/160
What to do with a reading of 217 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.