A blood pressure of 106/68 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category, which is defined as below 120/80 mmHg. It’s also well above the threshold for low blood pressure (below 90/60 mmHg), so there’s no cause for concern as long as you feel fine.
What the Two Numbers Mean
The first number, 106, is your systolic pressure. That’s the force your blood exerts against artery walls when your heart pumps. The second number, 68, is your diastolic pressure, which measures that force between beats while your heart refills with blood. Both numbers matter, and both of yours are in a healthy range.
Where 106/68 Falls on the Scale
The 2025 guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology 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: 140/90 mmHg or higher
At 106/68, you’re not just under the line for normal. You have a comfortable margin before reaching elevated territory. These categories apply to all adults regardless of age. The guidelines do not set different targets for people younger or older than 65.
Could 106/68 Be Too Low?
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is generally defined as a reading below 90/60 mmHg. Some clinicians also flag a diastolic number under 60 on its own. Your reading of 106/68 clears both of those thresholds, so it would not be classified as low.
That said, blood pressure numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. What matters is whether the reading is normal for you and whether you have symptoms. Signs that blood pressure is dropping too low include dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, and skin that looks paler or feels cooler than usual. If you’re not experiencing any of those, a reading in the low-normal range is typically a sign of good cardiovascular health, not a problem.
Why Active People Often See Numbers Like This
If you exercise regularly, a reading of 106/68 is especially common. Research in the Journal of Athletic Training found that both endurance and non-endurance athletes tend to have lower resting blood pressure than non-athletes, particularly on the diastolic side. Among endurance athletes in one study, systolic pressure ranged from 88 to 145 mmHg and diastolic from 45 to 82 mmHg. A reading of 106/68 sits comfortably in the middle of that range.
Regular cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart so it pumps more blood per beat, which reduces the overall force needed to circulate blood at rest. This is one reason why physically active people often see numbers that look “low” by average standards but are perfectly healthy.
Pregnancy and Blood Pressure
During pregnancy, blood pressure often dips in the first and second trimesters before rising again closer to delivery. A reading of 106/68 during pregnancy is considered normal. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists uses the same threshold as the general guidelines: below 120/80 is normal, while readings of 140/90 or higher raise concern for conditions like preeclampsia.
Making Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single reading is just a snapshot. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on stress, caffeine, physical activity, and even how you’re sitting. To get a reliable picture, the American Heart Association recommends a few steps when measuring at home:
- Timing: Avoid caffeine, smoking, and exercise for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Empty your bladder first.
- Positioning: Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and arm at heart level. Don’t measure over clothing.
- Equipment: Use an automatic upper-arm cuff monitor. Wrist and finger monitors give less reliable results. Make sure the cuff fits properly, because an incorrect size will skew the reading.
- Repeat: If you get a reading that seems unusual, take it again. Record both results.
Bringing your home monitor to a medical appointment once a year helps confirm it’s reading accurately compared to the equipment in the office.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in This Range
A reading of 106/68 means whatever you’re doing is working. The habits that help maintain it are the same ones that protect heart health in general: regular physical activity, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, moderate sodium intake, adequate sleep, and managing stress. These aren’t dramatic interventions. They’re the baseline behaviors that keep blood pressure from creeping upward over the years, which is the natural tendency as arteries gradually stiffen with age.