Blood pressure report · US guideline
My Blood Pressure is 138/31 - good or bad?
Each scale rates one number on its own; the higher category counts. Blue = low (systolic under 90 or diastolic under 60) — a common label, not an AHA/ACC category.
Measure again now
If the reading is real and you feel faint, confused, short of breath, or cold and clammy, call 911 (US) or your local emergency number. Otherwise contact a doctor today.
What this reading tells you
This reading meets the US definition of stage 1 hypertension. On its own it is a reason to look closer, not to panic: what counts is your average over a week of home readings, and your overall heart risk decides whether medication is needed.
Your diastolic number (31) is below 60 — on its own that would count as low — while the other number sets the category, and the gap between the two is wide (107 mmHg). Mention this combination to your doctor. Because the diastolic number is very low, follow the box above.
Your path to target
Tick the changes you could realistically make. The estimate uses the average systolic reductions measured in clinical trials in people with high blood pressure. Combined changes help more, but not fully additively — so we show a range.
Target for most adults: below 130/80.
How the measures work: Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure That Work · the DASH plan. If you take medication, these changes add to its effect.
Know your numbers
The average pressure that keeps your organs supplied — diastolic plus one third of the gap. On the low side — just under the typical range of 70–100.
Wide. A gap above 60 usually means the large arteries have lost some elasticity — common after 60 and a reason to keep the systolic number in check.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is my 10-year cardiovascular risk?
- Should I confirm this with home readings or a 24-hour monitor?
- What target should I aim for, and by when?
- Would you recommend medication now or after 3–6 months of lifestyle changes?
Your 7-day home check
One reading can mislead. Measure twice each morning (before medication and coffee) and evening for a week, skip day 1, and average the rest. Print this log or copy it. How to measure: How to Check Your Blood Pressure at Home.
| Day | AM 1 | AM 2 | PM 1 | PM 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 |
AM = morning, PM = evening, two readings one minute apart. *Day 1 is practice — leave it out of the average.
Print this page · Home average of 130/80 or higher counts as hypertension.
Look up another reading
Readings close to 138/31
Sources: 2025 AHA/ACC high blood pressure guideline (Hypertension 2025;82:e212–e316) · American Heart Association: When to call 911 about high blood pressure
MyBodyResearch explains readings in general terms; it does not diagnose. High blood pressure is confirmed with repeated measurements, and treatment decisions belong with your doctor.