A blood pressure of 104/73 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category defined by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, which classifies normal blood pressure as a top number (systolic) below 120 and a bottom number (diastolic) below 80. In fact, 104/73 sits comfortably in the middle of the healthy range, well below the threshold for concern on the high side and above the level where low blood pressure typically causes problems.
Where 104/73 Falls on the Blood Pressure Scale
Current guidelines break blood pressure into four categories:
- Normal: below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic
- Elevated: 120 to 129 systolic and below 80 diastolic
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher systolic, or 90 or higher diastolic
At 104/73, both numbers are well within the normal range. These same thresholds apply to all adults regardless of age. The guidelines do not set different targets for younger versus older people.
Why This Reading Is Protective
Nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure (130/80 or above), which is the number one preventable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and cognitive decline. Keeping your numbers in the normal range significantly lowers your lifetime risk for all of these conditions. A reading like 104/73 means your heart is pumping blood through your arteries without excessive force, which reduces wear on your blood vessel walls over time.
Is 104/73 Too Low?
Some people see a systolic number in the low 100s and worry it might be too low. In most cases, it is not. There is no specific number that defines “too low” the way there is for high blood pressure. Most healthcare professionals only consider blood pressure too low if it causes symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, blurred vision, fatigue, or trouble concentrating.
A sudden drop of just 20 mmHg in systolic pressure can trigger these symptoms. So if your blood pressure is normally around 130 and drops to 104, you might feel off. But if 104/73 is your typical reading and you feel fine, it’s simply a healthy baseline. Athletes and people who exercise regularly often have resting blood pressure in this range.
What Your Pulse Pressure Tells You
The gap between your top and bottom numbers is called pulse pressure. For a reading of 104/73, that’s 31 mmHg. A pulse pressure becomes a concern when it drops below one quarter of your systolic number. One quarter of 104 is 26, and your pulse pressure of 31 is comfortably above that threshold. A narrow pulse pressure can signal that the heart isn’t pumping enough blood, but 31 is perfectly normal and not a red flag.
Why Your Reading Can Change Throughout the Day
Blood pressure is not a fixed number. It fluctuates constantly in response to what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. Physical activity, emotional stress, caffeine, sleep, and even breathing patterns all push your numbers up or down throughout the day. Your blood pressure on a Monday morning at work can be meaningfully different from a lazy Sunday afternoon. Seasonal changes matter too: blood pressure tends to run lower in summer and higher in winter due to temperature effects on blood vessels.
This is why a single reading is a snapshot, not a diagnosis. If you got 104/73 at one visit and 118/78 at another, both are normal. The pattern over time is what matters. If you’re monitoring at home, try to measure at the same time of day, sitting quietly for a few minutes beforehand, to get the most consistent picture.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in This Range
Since 104/73 is a healthy reading, the goal is simply to maintain it. The habits that protect blood pressure long term are familiar but worth emphasizing: regular physical activity, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, limiting alcohol, and getting adequate sleep. These same habits also reduce cardiovascular risk through other pathways beyond blood pressure alone.
As you age, arteries naturally stiffen, which tends to push systolic pressure higher. That’s why a reading like 104/73 in your 20s or 30s doesn’t guarantee the same numbers in your 50s or 60s. Periodic check-ups give you a chance to catch any upward trend early, when lifestyle changes are most effective at reversing it.