Yes, 115/73 is a good blood pressure reading. It falls squarely within the normal category, which is defined as below 120/80 mm Hg. In fact, 115/75 is the exact point that researchers use as a baseline for calculating cardiovascular risk, making your reading close to what’s considered an ideal starting point for heart health.
Where 115/73 Falls in the Categories
Current guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology break adult blood pressure into four categories:
- Normal: below 120/80 mm Hg
- 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 115/73, both numbers sit comfortably in the normal range. Your systolic pressure (the top number, 115) reflects the force your heart generates when it pumps blood out to your body. Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number, 73) is the pressure in your blood vessels between beats, when the heart is resting. Both are well below the thresholds for concern and well above the low blood pressure cutoff of 90/60.
Why This Reading Is Particularly Favorable
Cardiovascular disease risk doubles with each increase of 20/10 mm Hg above 115/75. That means someone with a reading of 135/85 has roughly twice the cardiovascular risk of someone at 115/75, and someone at 155/95 has about four times the risk. Being right at that baseline puts you in a strong position.
These categories apply the same way regardless of age. Older guidelines used to set a higher threshold for people over 65, but the current standards dropped that distinction. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 whether you’re 30 or 70. For people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, guidelines actually push for even more aggressive targets, often below 130/80 or even lower. A reading of 115/73 meets those stricter thresholds as well.
When a Normal Reading Could Still Be Concerning
Low blood pressure (hypotension) is formally defined as a reading below 90/60, so 115/73 doesn’t come close. But blood pressure is personal. If your reading has dropped significantly from where it usually is, or if you’re experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, unusual fatigue, or fainting, those symptoms matter more than the number itself. Low blood pressure without symptoms is generally harmless. Low blood pressure with symptoms can interfere with everyday activities like driving, standing, and concentrating.
Getting an Accurate Reading
A single reading is a snapshot, not the full picture. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on stress, meals, hydration, and activity. To know whether 115/73 reflects your true baseline, the conditions of the measurement matter.
For the most accurate reading, avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes beforehand and empty your bladder first. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least five minutes before measuring. Keep both feet flat on the floor with legs uncrossed, and rest your arm on a table so the cuff sits at chest height. The cuff should be snug against bare skin, not over clothing. Don’t talk during the reading. Take at least two measurements, one to two minutes apart, and average them.
If your reading consistently lands around 115/73 under these conditions, you have a reliable and healthy blood pressure. Maintaining it comes down to the same fundamentals that protect cardiovascular health broadly: regular physical activity, a diet that isn’t heavy on sodium and processed foods, adequate sleep, and managing stress. No medication or intervention is needed for a reading like this.