A blood pressure of 98/67 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely within the “Normal” category under the 2025 guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, which define normal blood pressure as below 120/80 mmHg. For most people, this number is healthy and even protective against heart disease and stroke.
That said, a reading on the lower end of normal can occasionally cause symptoms in some people. Whether 98/67 is ideal for you depends on how you feel, not just the number itself.
Where 98/67 Falls on the Chart
Current guidelines break adult blood pressure 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 98/67, both your top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic) are well within normal range. The guidelines apply the same thresholds regardless of age. Earlier recommendations used different cutoffs for people over 65, but the current framework treats all adults the same.
When Lower Isn’t Better
Most healthcare professionals only consider blood pressure “too low” if it causes symptoms. There’s no official cutoff for hypotension the way there is for high blood pressure, though readings at or below 90/60 mmHg are the commonly cited threshold where providers start paying closer attention. At 98/67, you’re above that line.
Still, some people with readings in this range do notice symptoms. Watch for:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
- Blurred or fading vision
- Fatigue or trouble concentrating
- Upset stomach
- Fainting
A drop of just 20 mmHg in systolic pressure can trigger dizziness or fainting. So if your blood pressure is normally around 120 and it dips to 98, you might feel that shift even though 98 is technically normal. A consistently low reading that doesn’t cause any of these symptoms is simply your baseline, and it’s a healthy one.
Why Some People Run Low
Genetics play a significant role. Some people naturally have lower blood pressure throughout their lives and never experience a single symptom from it. This is especially common in people who are physically active. Regular exercisers, runners, and swimmers often have resting blood pressures well below the average for their age group because their cardiovascular systems are more efficient.
Pregnancy can also push blood pressure lower. In the first half of pregnancy, blood pressure normally drops, and a reading like 98/67 during that period is expected and generally not concerning. Dehydration, certain medications (particularly those for high blood pressure, depression, or heart conditions), and prolonged bed rest can also bring numbers down. If you’ve recently started a new medication and noticed lower readings, that connection is worth mentioning to your provider.
A Simple Test You Can Do at Home
If you’re curious whether your 98/67 reading holds steady when you change positions, you can check for something called orthostatic hypotension. This is a drop in blood pressure that happens when you stand up, and it’s one of the most common reasons people with lower readings feel dizzy.
Lie down and rest for five minutes, then take your blood pressure. Stand up and measure again after one minute and again after three minutes. A drop of 20 mmHg or more in your top number, or 10 mmHg or more in your bottom number, is considered abnormal. If that drop happens and you also feel lightheaded, it’s worth bringing those numbers to a healthcare provider.
Simple Ways to Manage Symptoms
If your 98/67 reading comes with occasional dizziness or fatigue, a few practical changes can help. Drinking more water increases blood volume and prevents dehydration, which is one of the most common and easily fixable causes of low blood pressure symptoms. Spreading fluid intake throughout the day is more effective than drinking a lot at once.
Adding a bit more salt to your diet can also raise blood pressure slightly. This is the opposite of the advice given to people with high blood pressure, and it works for the same reason: sodium causes the body to retain more fluid, increasing pressure in the blood vessels. This approach works best when guided by a provider, since too much sodium carries its own risks for heart health, especially in older adults.
Other practical strategies include standing up slowly rather than jumping out of bed, avoiding long periods of standing in one place, and eating smaller, more frequent meals (large meals can temporarily divert blood flow to the digestive system and lower blood pressure further). Crossing your legs while standing or tensing your thigh muscles can also help push blood back toward your heart if you feel a wave of dizziness coming on.
What Your Reading Means Long Term
A blood pressure of 98/67 without symptoms is genuinely protective. Lower blood pressure within the normal range is associated with reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease over a lifetime. You’re not in a gray zone or borderline territory. You’re in the range that blood pressure medications are trying to help other people reach. If you feel fine at this reading, it’s one of the better numbers you could see on a home monitor.