A blood pressure of 118/73 is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category under current guidelines, which define normal as below 120/80 mm Hg. Both your top number (118) and bottom number (73) sit comfortably within that range, meaning your heart and blood vessels are working efficiently without excess strain.
Where 118/73 Falls on the Chart
The 2025 guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology 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 118/73, you’re just two points below the cutoff where a reading shifts from “normal” to “elevated.” These categories apply the same way regardless of age. Earlier guidelines used different thresholds for people over 65, but current standards treat all adults the same based on large-scale trial data showing the benefits of tighter blood pressure control across age groups.
What the Two Numbers Mean
The first number, 118, is your systolic pressure. It measures the force your blood pushes against artery walls each time your heart beats. The second number, 73, is your diastolic pressure, which reflects the force between beats while your heart refills with blood. Both numbers matter. If either one crosses into a higher category, the overall reading gets classified at that higher level.
Your systolic reading of 118 is notable because a large 2015 study found that keeping systolic pressure around or below 120 significantly reduced heart attacks and strokes compared to the older target of 140. In other words, 118 isn’t just “not high.” It’s in a range associated with genuinely lower cardiovascular risk.
Make Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single reading can be misleading. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on stress, caffeine, physical activity, and even how you’re sitting. To trust that 118/73 reflects your true baseline, the American Heart Association recommends a specific protocol for home measurements:
- Before measuring: Avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and exercise for at least 30 minutes. Empty your bladder, then sit quietly for more than five minutes.
- Positioning: Sit upright with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed. Rest your arm on a flat surface at heart level with the cuff wrapped on bare skin above the bend of your elbow.
- During the reading: Stay relaxed and don’t talk. Take at least two readings one minute apart and average them.
If you got your 118/73 reading at a pharmacy kiosk, while rushing, or right after a cup of coffee, it may not be entirely representative. Repeating the measurement under proper conditions gives you a more reliable number.
118/73 During Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant and checking whether 118/73 is safe, it is. High blood pressure during pregnancy is defined as 140/90 or higher on two readings taken at least four hours apart. Severe hypertension in pregnancy starts at 160/110. A reading of 118/73 sits well below both thresholds, though your provider will continue monitoring throughout pregnancy since blood pressure can change as the weeks progress.
Could It Be Too Low?
At 118/73, you’re nowhere near dangerously low territory. But some people with blood pressure in the lower range of normal do experience symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, or blurry vision. These aren’t caused by a specific number on the cuff. They happen when pressure drops low enough that organs aren’t getting adequate blood flow. If you feel fine, your reading is simply healthy. If you’re regularly experiencing those symptoms, the number itself matters less than how your body is responding.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in This Range
Blood pressure tends to rise with age, weight gain, and dietary changes, so a good reading today doesn’t guarantee the same result in five years. The habits that matter most are straightforward. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, even if that’s a brisk walk. Keep sodium intake below 2,300 mg per day, though 1,500 mg is the ideal target for most adults. For context, a single fast-food meal can easily exceed 1,500 mg on its own.
Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains all contribute to long-term blood pressure stability. These aren’t just recommendations for people with high blood pressure. They’re what keeps a reading like 118/73 from creeping upward over the years. Checking your blood pressure at home a few times per month, using proper technique, is the simplest way to catch any gradual shift before it becomes a problem.