A blood pressure of 118/67 is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category under the 2025 guidelines from the American Heart Association, which define normal blood pressure as a top number below 120 and a bottom number below 80. You’re just under both thresholds, which puts you in the healthiest range.
What 118/67 Means for Your Heart
The top number (118) measures the force of blood pushing against your artery walls when your heart pumps. The bottom number (67) measures that pressure between beats, when the heart is filling with blood. Both numbers matter independently, and if they fall into different categories, the higher category applies. In your case, both land in the normal range, so there’s no ambiguity.
To put this in perspective, a large study of over 2.6 million young adults found that people with normal blood pressure (below 120/80) had the lowest rate of cardiovascular events: about 29 per 100,000 person-years. Even a modest bump into the “elevated” range (120 to 129 systolic) raised that rate to roughly 42 per 100,000. At 118/67, you’re on the favorable side of that divide.
Is the Diastolic Number Too Low?
A diastolic reading of 67 is not too low. Clinically, low blood pressure (hypotension) is defined as a reading below 90/60. Your 67 sits comfortably above that floor. Most healthcare professionals only consider blood pressure “too low” if it causes symptoms like dizziness, fainting, fatigue, blurred vision, or trouble concentrating. If you feel fine, a diastolic of 67 is perfectly healthy.
That said, a sudden drop of even 20 mmHg from your usual reading can cause lightheadedness. So if your diastolic is normally in the high 70s and it suddenly reads 67, pay attention to how you feel. A consistent reading around 67 with no symptoms is not a concern.
Your Pulse Pressure Looks Normal
Pulse pressure is the gap between the top and bottom numbers. Yours is 51 (118 minus 67). A healthy pulse pressure is around 40. Readings above 60 start to become a risk factor for heart disease, particularly in older adults. At 51, you’re in a normal range, though slightly above the textbook ideal of 40. This is not clinically significant on its own.
One Reading Isn’t the Full Picture
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. Stress, caffeine, tobacco use, physical activity, and even a full bladder can temporarily push your numbers up or down. The AHA’s classification system is based on the average of two or more careful readings taken on two or more separate occasions, not a single snapshot.
If you’re measuring at home, accuracy depends on technique. Sit quietly for at least five minutes before taking a reading. Keep your arm supported on a flat surface at heart level, and place the cuff on bare skin directly above the bend of your elbow. Crossing your legs or talking during the measurement can skew results. If you consistently see readings near 118/67 across multiple days, you can feel confident the number is reliable.
How to Keep It in This Range
Maintaining normal blood pressure is easier than bringing it back down once it rises. The same factors that raise blood pressure over time are the ones worth managing now: excess sodium, physical inactivity, chronic stress, heavy alcohol use, and tobacco. Regular physical activity and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the most effective ways to keep your numbers where they are.
Blood pressure tends to rise gradually with age, so a reading of 118/67 today doesn’t guarantee the same number five years from now. Periodic checks, whether at home or during routine medical visits, help you catch any upward trend early, before it crosses into the elevated or hypertension range.