A blood pressure of 106/73 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely in the normal category, which the American Heart Association defines as a systolic (top number) below 120 and a diastolic (bottom number) below 80. It’s also comfortably above the threshold for low blood pressure, which begins below 90/60 mmHg.
Where 106/73 Falls on the Scale
Blood pressure readings are grouped into five categories. Here’s how they break down:
- Normal: below 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated: 120 to 129 systolic, with diastolic still under 80
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130 to 139 systolic, or 80 to 89 diastolic
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher systolic, or 90 or higher diastolic
- Hypotension (low blood pressure): below 90/60 mmHg
At 106/73, both numbers sit in the normal range. Your systolic pressure is 14 points below the elevated threshold, and your diastolic is 7 points above the low blood pressure cutoff. This is essentially a textbook healthy reading.
Cardiovascular Risk at This Level
People with systolic pressure in the 100 to 109 range have very low rates of cardiovascular disease. A large study tracking adults without other risk factors found that cardiovascular events occurred at a rate of about 2.15 per 1,000 person-years in this group, compared to 3.06 for those in the 110 to 119 range and 3.80 for those at 120 to 129. After adjusting for age, sex, and other health factors, the difference in risk between the 100 to 109 group and those with even lower systolic readings (90 to 99) was not statistically significant. In practical terms, a systolic reading of 106 puts you in one of the lowest-risk categories for heart attack and stroke.
When a Low-Normal Reading Is a Concern
A reading of 106/73 is not low blood pressure by clinical standards. Hypotension is generally defined as systolic below 90 or diastolic below 60, and your numbers are above both thresholds. That said, blood pressure is personal. Some people feel perfectly fine at 100/65, while others feel lightheaded at 110/70 if their body is used to running higher.
Symptoms that suggest your blood pressure is too low for your body include dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue or unusual sluggishness, fast shallow breathing, and difficulty concentrating. If you consistently feel fine, your reading is simply healthy. Many people with lower blood pressure never experience symptoms at all and only discover their numbers are on the low side when they happen to check.
Making Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single blood pressure reading is a snapshot, not a diagnosis. Research observing clinical measurements found errors at nearly every step of the process, and most of those errors push readings artificially higher. If your reading came out at 106/73, your true pressure could be similar or even slightly lower. To get the most reliable number at home or in a clinic, a few things matter:
- Rest first: Sit quietly for at least five minutes before measuring. Walking in from the parking lot and immediately wrapping the cuff on will skew results.
- Body position: Sit upright with your back supported, both feet flat on the floor (not crossed or dangling), and your arm resting at heart level with your palm facing up.
- Cuff fit: The cuff should be placed directly on your skin, not over a sleeve. Using the wrong cuff size for your arm is one of the most common sources of error.
- Stay still and quiet: Talking or moving during the reading changes the result.
- Take two readings: Measuring twice, a minute or two apart, and averaging the results gives a more accurate picture than a single measurement.
If you got 106/73 while following these steps, you can feel confident in the number. If conditions were less than ideal, it’s worth rechecking on a calm day at home.
What This Reading Means Long Term
Blood pressure naturally rises with age. Readings that sit in the low-normal range during your twenties and thirties give you a larger buffer before crossing into elevated or hypertensive territory later. Maintaining habits that support healthy blood pressure, like regular physical activity, moderate sodium intake, and a balanced diet, helps keep that buffer intact. A reading of 106/73 today is not something to worry about. It’s something to maintain.