A blood pressure of 108/68 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category, which the American Heart Association defines as below 120/80 mmHg. Not only is it normal, it sits in a range associated with better long-term health outcomes.
Where 108/68 Falls on the Scale
The current blood pressure classification system, updated in 2025 by the AHA and American College of Cardiology, breaks readings into four categories:
- Normal: below 120/80 mmHg
- 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 108/68, both numbers are comfortably below the normal threshold. The top number (systolic) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, and the bottom number (diastolic) measures the pressure between beats, when the heart is resting. Both of yours are in a healthy range with room to spare.
How 108/68 Compares by Age and Sex
Your reading is very close to average for younger adults. Data from the Heart Research Institute shows the following averages:
- Women aged 18 to 39: 110/68 mmHg
- Men aged 18 to 39: 119/70 mmHg
- Women aged 40 to 59: 122/74 mmHg
- Men aged 40 to 59: 124/77 mmHg
- Women aged 60+: 139/68 mmHg
- Men aged 60+: 133/69 mmHg
If you’re a younger woman, 108/68 is essentially textbook average. If you’re an older adult, it’s notably lower than the typical reading for your age group, which is a positive sign. Blood pressure tends to rise with age, so maintaining a reading like 108/68 into your 40s, 50s, or beyond puts you ahead of the curve.
The Longevity Connection
A reading of 108/68 isn’t just “fine.” It may actively work in your favor over decades. A large study published in Circulation tracked women over many years and found that those who maintained a systolic pressure between 110 and 130 mmHg had significantly higher odds of surviving to age 90. Women at age 65 with a systolic reading in that range had a 37% probability of reaching 90. By age 75, that figure climbed to 65%.
The diastolic number matters too. The same study found that a diastolic reading between 70 and 80 mmHg was linked to the highest probability of survival to 90 across all age groups. At 68, your diastolic is just slightly below that window, which is not a concern. The key finding was that women who spent 80% of a five-year tracking period within the 110 to 130 systolic range had the best long-term survival odds. Consistency over time matters more than any single reading.
Is It Too Low?
Some people see a reading like 108/68 and wonder if it’s on the low side. It’s not. Low blood pressure (hypotension) is generally defined as a reading below 90/60 mmHg. Your reading is well above both of those thresholds.
That said, the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Most healthcare professionals consider blood pressure “too low” only when it causes symptoms. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, those are signs your blood pressure may be dropping too far for your body, regardless of whether the number technically qualifies as hypotension. But if you feel fine at 108/68, there’s nothing to treat or worry about. What counts as low for one person can be perfectly normal for another.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in This Range
If your reading is already 108/68, you’re doing something right. The habits that maintain healthy blood pressure are the same ones that prevent it from creeping up as you age. About 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days, whether that’s walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing, is one of the most effective tools. Adding strength training at least two days a week provides additional benefit.
Diet plays a major role. A pattern built around whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy while limiting saturated fat can lower blood pressure by up to 11 mmHg in people who start with elevated readings. Potassium is especially helpful because it counteracts the blood-pressure-raising effects of sodium. Aim for 3,500 to 5,000 mg of potassium daily from foods like bananas, potatoes, beans, and leafy greens. For sodium, keeping intake below 1,500 mg per day is ideal for most adults.
Sleep is an underrated factor. Adults who consistently get 7 to 9 hours per night, on a regular schedule, tend to maintain better blood pressure levels. Maintaining a healthy weight matters too. In people who are overweight, blood pressure drops by roughly 1 mmHg for every kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) lost.
None of this requires dramatic changes if your numbers are already good. The goal is to keep doing what’s working so that your reading stays in this range for years to come, because the data suggests that long-term consistency is what delivers the biggest health payoff.