A blood pressure of 105/68 is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category, which the 2025 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines define as below 120/80 mmHg. Your systolic pressure (105) is comfortably under the 120 threshold, and your diastolic pressure (68) is well under 80. It’s also safely above 90/60, which is the point where blood pressure is considered too low.
Where 105/68 Falls on the Scale
The current blood pressure categories for adults are straightforward:
- 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 105/68, both numbers land in the normal range. You’re 15 points below the “elevated” cutoff for systolic and 12 points below it for diastolic. That’s a meaningful margin.
Why This Reading Is Protective
Lower blood pressure within the normal range is consistently linked to better cardiovascular outcomes. The landmark SPRINT trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found that keeping systolic pressure below 120 in adults age 50 and older significantly reduced the risk of heart disease and death compared to a target of 140.
Diastolic pressure matters too, and your reading of 68 sits in a favorable zone. A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association analyzed over 7,500 patients and found that people with diastolic pressure between 60 and 79 mmHg had the lowest rate of major cardiovascular events: 1.9 cases per 100 person-years. Those whose diastolic dropped below 60 had a higher rate of 3.9 cases per 100 person-years, with a 37% increased risk of coronary heart disease and a 33% increased risk of stroke. At 68, your diastolic is comfortably in that optimal 60 to 79 window.
Is It Too Low?
Not by any clinical standard. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is defined as below 90/60 mmHg. Your reading clears both of those thresholds. Health professionals generally consider blood pressure “too low” only when it causes symptoms, not based on the number alone.
If you do feel any of the following, the reading deserves a conversation with your doctor, even though 105/68 is technically normal:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
- Blurred or fading vision
- Persistent fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Fainting
A sudden drop of just 20 mmHg from your usual reading can cause dizziness or fainting, even if the resulting number looks normal on paper. So context matters. If 105/68 is typical for you and you feel fine, there’s nothing to worry about.
Who Commonly Has Readings Like This
A reading of 105/68 is common in younger adults, women, and people who exercise regularly. Research on athletes shows that regular training lowers resting blood pressure by about 3 to 4 mmHg compared to non-athletes. Female athletes in one large study averaged a systolic reading of about 116, while male athletes averaged around 126. People involved in endurance sports, speed events, and ball games tended to have the lowest readings. If you’re physically active, a reading of 105/68 is entirely expected.
Blood pressure also dips naturally during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, before rising again closer to delivery. Normal pregnancy blood pressure follows the same guideline of less than 120/80, so 105/68 is healthy for pregnant women as well.
For Older Adults
If you’re over 65, a reading of 105/68 is still in the normal range, but older adults sometimes have different treatment targets depending on other health conditions, medications, and overall fitness. Arteries stiffen with age, which typically pushes systolic pressure higher while diastolic can actually decrease. A healthy older adult with a natural reading of 105/68 and no symptoms is in good shape, but someone who recently started blood pressure medication and dropped to 105/68 should pay attention to how they feel, particularly when standing up or getting out of bed.
Making Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single reading can be misleading. To confirm that 105/68 reflects your true resting blood pressure, follow these steps when measuring at home:
- Avoid caffeine, smoking, and exercise for at least 30 minutes before measuring
- Empty your bladder first
- Sit quietly for at least five minutes before taking a reading
- Rest your arm on a flat surface at heart level (a pillow can help)
- Place the cuff on bare skin, with the bottom edge just above the bend of your elbow
Taking two or three readings a minute apart and averaging them gives you the most reliable number. If you’re tracking your blood pressure over time, measure at the same time each day, ideally morning and evening, and record your results to share with your doctor.