Blood Pressure 218 Over 80–176: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 218, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 218 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 218 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 218/158 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 218/80 to 218/176
- 218/80
- 218/81
- 218/82
- 218/83
- 218/84
- 218/85
- 218/86
- 218/87
- 218/88
- 218/89
- 218/90
- 218/91
- 218/92
- 218/93
- 218/94
- 218/95
- 218/96
- 218/97
- 218/98
- 218/99
- 218/100
- 218/101
- 218/102
- 218/103
- 218/104
- 218/105
- 218/106
- 218/107
- 218/108
- 218/109
- 218/110
- 218/111
- 218/112
- 218/113
- 218/114
- 218/115
- 218/116
- 218/117
- 218/118
- 218/119
- 218/120
- 218/121
- 218/122
- 218/123
- 218/124
- 218/125
- 218/126
- 218/127
- 218/128
- 218/129
- 218/130
- 218/131
- 218/132
- 218/133
- 218/134
- 218/135
- 218/136
- 218/137
- 218/138
- 218/139
- 218/140
- 218/141
- 218/142
- 218/143
- 218/144
- 218/145
- 218/146
- 218/147
- 218/148
- 218/149
- 218/150
- 218/151
- 218/152
- 218/153
- 218/154
- 218/155
- 218/156
- 218/157
- 218/158
- 218/159
- 218/160
- 218/176
What to do with a reading of 218 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.