A blood pressure of 108/65 is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category, which the American Heart Association defines as below 120/80 mm Hg. At 108/65, both your top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic) are comfortably within the healthy range, and well above the threshold where low blood pressure becomes a concern.
Where 108/65 Falls on the Scale
The 2025 guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology break adult blood pressure into four categories:
- Normal: below 120/80
- Elevated: 120 to 129 systolic, with diastolic still below 80
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130 to 139 systolic, or 80 to 89 diastolic
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher systolic, or 90 or higher diastolic
Your reading of 108/65 sits solidly in the normal range. In fact, “normal” is considered the ideal category. There is no separate “optimal” tier below it in the current guidelines.
Is 108/65 Too Low?
Some people see a number like 65 on the bottom and worry it might be too low. The general benchmark for low blood pressure (hypotension) is at or below 90/60 mm Hg, and even readings near that line aren’t automatically a problem. Your diastolic of 65 is five points above that floor, and your systolic of 108 is 18 points above it.
More importantly, most health professionals consider blood pressure “too low” only when it causes symptoms. If you feel fine at 108/65, there’s nothing to address. Symptoms of genuinely low blood pressure include dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred or fading vision, fainting, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and nausea. A sudden drop of just 20 mm Hg from your usual reading can trigger dizziness, so it’s worth paying attention to changes rather than fixating on a single number.
Why Some People Run Lower
A reading around 108/65 is especially common in younger adults, women, and people who exercise regularly. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart so it can pump more blood with less effort, which reduces the force on blood vessel walls and lowers resting blood pressure. Athletes and highly active individuals routinely see readings in the low-normal range without any health consequences.
During pregnancy, blood pressure also tends to dip in the first and second trimesters as the body produces more blood to support the growing baby. A reading of 108/65 during pregnancy is typically normal, though your provider will check your blood pressure at every prenatal visit because changes later in pregnancy can signal complications like preeclampsia.
As people age, systolic pressure (the top number) tends to rise because arteries stiffen and plaque builds up over time. An older adult who has always run higher may actually feel symptomatic at 108/65 even though the number itself is technically normal. Context matters: your baseline, your age, and how you feel are all part of the picture.
Making Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single reading can be misleading. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on stress, caffeine, hydration, and even how you’re sitting. The CDC recommends a specific routine to get a reliable measurement:
- Don’t eat or drink anything for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Empty your bladder first.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before taking the reading.
- Keep both feet flat on the floor with legs uncrossed.
- Rest the arm wearing the cuff on a table at chest height.
Crossing your legs, talking during the reading, or resting your arm too low can each skew the numbers by several points. If you got 108/65 while following these steps, you can feel confident it’s accurate. If it was a quick reading at a pharmacy kiosk or while you were rushing around, it’s worth retaking it under calmer conditions.
What to Do With This Number
If 108/65 is your typical reading and you feel well, there’s nothing you need to do other than keep up whatever habits are maintaining it. This reading carries a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage compared to readings in the elevated or hypertensive categories. The goal for most adults is to stay below 120/80, and you’re already there.
If you notice symptoms like frequent lightheadedness when standing up, persistent fatigue that doesn’t match your sleep quality, or episodes of faintness, mention these to your doctor alongside your blood pressure numbers. The reading itself isn’t the concern in that scenario, but the symptoms might point to something worth investigating, such as dehydration, a medication side effect, or an underlying condition that happens to lower blood pressure.