A blood pressure of 104/68 is a good reading. It falls squarely within the normal category, which the American Heart Association defines as a systolic (top number) below 120 and a diastolic (bottom number) below 80. Both of your numbers sit comfortably inside that range, so there’s no cause for concern.
What Your Numbers Mean
The top number, 104, measures the pressure inside your arteries when your heart beats and pushes blood out. The bottom number, 68, measures the pressure between beats, when your heart is resting. Together, they give a snapshot of how hard your cardiovascular system is working.
For context, blood pressure is only considered too low when it drops below 90/60. At 104/68, you’re well above that threshold. And the clinical definition of high blood pressure starts at 130/80. You’re far from either end of the spectrum.
Why This Reading Is Protective
Having a systolic pressure in the low 100s isn’t just “fine.” It’s actively good for your long-term health. The landmark SPRINT trial, which followed over 9,300 adults, found that achieving a systolic pressure below 120 reduced cardiovascular events like heart attack, heart failure, and stroke by 25% compared to a target of 140. It also lowered the overall risk of death by 27%. Participants treated to the lower target even had about a 20% reduction in mild cognitive impairment.
Your diastolic reading of 68 also lands in an ideal zone. Research from the same trial found that when diastolic pressure stays between 60 and 79, the risk of major cardiovascular events is lowest. Diastolic readings that drop below 60 start to carry a slightly elevated risk, with about 1.3 times the rate of heart-related events compared to the 60-to-79 range. At 68, you’re right in the sweet spot.
When a Low-Normal Reading Could Be a Problem
Some people see a number like 104/68 and worry it’s too low. In most cases, it isn’t. What matters far more than the number itself is how you feel. If you have no dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, or fainting, a blood pressure in this range is perfectly healthy and typically requires no treatment at all. Many people walk around with readings in this range and never realize it because they feel completely normal.
The only time a reading like this warrants attention is if you’re experiencing symptoms. Feeling faint when you stand up, persistent tiredness, or blurred vision alongside a low-normal reading could suggest your body isn’t compensating well. Otherwise, your doctor will simply note the number and move on.
Who Tends to Have Readings Like This
A blood pressure of 104/68 is especially common among people who exercise regularly. Research on adult athletes shows that physically active people consistently have lower resting blood pressure than sedentary individuals, with dynamic sports like running and cycling producing the most noticeable drops. Regular training lowers blood pressure in healthy people by about 3 to 4 points on average, and in female athletes specifically, average systolic readings fall between about 112 and 120.
Younger adults, women, and people with naturally smaller builds also tend to run lower. None of these patterns are a problem. They’re associated with better cardiovascular health over a lifetime.
Make Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
One important caveat: blood pressure readings can be surprisingly sensitive to how you’re sitting when the measurement is taken. A study from Johns Hopkins found that letting your arm hang at your side instead of resting it on a table inflated the systolic reading by 6.5 points and diastolic by 4.4 points. Even resting your arm on your lap rather than a desk added nearly 4 points to both numbers.
For the most accurate reading, sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed, and the cuff on your upper arm at heart level while your arm rests on a table. If your 104/68 was taken under these conditions, you can trust it. If it was taken in a rushed clinic visit with your arm dangling, your actual pressure may be slightly lower than what was recorded.
Maintaining a Healthy Blood Pressure
If your blood pressure is already at 104/68, you’re doing something right. The habits that keep blood pressure in this range are the same ones that protect your heart and brain for decades: regular physical activity, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and moderate sodium intake. Research from the DASH-Sodium trial found that combining a balanced diet with a sodium intake of about 1,500 mg per day (roughly half a teaspoon of salt) produced the greatest blood pressure reductions. The average American consumes around 3,600 mg daily, more than double that target.
You don’t need to obsess over maintaining this exact number. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on stress, hydration, caffeine, and activity level. A single reading is a snapshot. The trend over time is what counts, and a baseline of 104/68 is an excellent place to be.