Blood Pressure 220 Over 65–175: Which Are OK?
With an upper value of 220, the answer depends on your lower number. Here are all readings, sorted by what they mean.
On its own, a systolic (upper) value of 220 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 220 reading up: every listed reading stays in the same category. Readings below 220/160 have a pulse pressure above 60 mmHg — a wide gap that is common after 60 and worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hypertension stage 3 220/65 to 220/175
- 220/65
- 220/80
- 220/81
- 220/82
- 220/83
- 220/84
- 220/85
- 220/86
- 220/87
- 220/88
- 220/89
- 220/90
- 220/91
- 220/92
- 220/93
- 220/94
- 220/95
- 220/96
- 220/97
- 220/98
- 220/99
- 220/100
- 220/101
- 220/102
- 220/103
- 220/104
- 220/105
- 220/106
- 220/107
- 220/108
- 220/109
- 220/110
- 220/111
- 220/112
- 220/113
- 220/114
- 220/115
- 220/116
- 220/117
- 220/118
- 220/119
- 220/120
- 220/121
- 220/122
- 220/123
- 220/124
- 220/125
- 220/126
- 220/127
- 220/128
- 220/129
- 220/130
- 220/131
- 220/132
- 220/133
- 220/134
- 220/135
- 220/136
- 220/137
- 220/138
- 220/139
- 220/140
- 220/141
- 220/142
- 220/143
- 220/144
- 220/145
- 220/146
- 220/147
- 220/148
- 220/149
- 220/150
- 220/151
- 220/152
- 220/153
- 220/154
- 220/155
- 220/156
- 220/157
- 220/158
- 220/159
- 220/160
- 220/175
What to do with a reading of 220 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.