A blood pressure of 109/68 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category, which the American Heart Association defines as below 120/80 mmHg. Both your top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic) are comfortably within the healthy range, and this reading is well above the threshold where low blood pressure becomes a concern.
Where 109/68 Falls on the Chart
The 2025 joint guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology use the same blood pressure categories that have been in place for several years:
- 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 109/68, you’re not just below the hypertension cutoffs. You’re below the “elevated” category too. This is the range most people are trying to reach or maintain.
Is It Too Low?
No. While there’s no universally agreed-upon number where blood pressure becomes “too low,” 109/68 is nowhere near concerning territory. Most clinicians only consider low blood pressure a problem when it causes symptoms like dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, fatigue, or trouble concentrating. The number itself matters less than how you feel.
A sudden drop of just 20 mmHg can make you lightheaded, so context matters more than any single reading. If you consistently feel fine at 109/68, this is simply your body’s healthy baseline. Some people naturally run lower than others, and that’s perfectly normal.
Why Active People Often See This Range
If you exercise regularly, a reading around 109/68 is especially common. A study of nearly 2,900 athletes found average resting blood pressures of 123/73 in males and 116/71 in females. Those are averages, meaning plenty of fit individuals sit comfortably in the low 110s or below. Regular cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart so it pumps blood more efficiently with less force per beat, which naturally lowers resting blood pressure.
What Your Pulse Pressure Tells You
Your pulse pressure is the gap between the top and bottom numbers. For 109/68, that’s 41 mmHg. A healthy pulse pressure is generally around 40 mmHg. Yours is right at that mark, which suggests your arteries are flexible and functioning well. When pulse pressure climbs significantly higher (into the 50s, 60s, or beyond), it can signal stiffening of the arteries, something that becomes more common with age.
Considerations for Older Adults
Blood pressure targets shift somewhat as you age. Current guidelines recommend that most adults 65 and older aim for a systolic reading below 130 mmHg. A reading of 109/68 clears that threshold easily. However, for some older adults, especially those taking multiple medications or managing other health conditions, blood pressure that’s too low can increase the risk of falls from dizziness when standing up. If you’re over 65 and feel lightheaded or unsteady at this reading, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor.
During Pregnancy
For pregnant women, 109/68 is a reassuring number. High blood pressure during pregnancy is defined as 140/90 or above on two separate readings at least four hours apart. Your reading is well below that cutoff. Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout pregnancy, often dipping during the second trimester before rising again closer to delivery, so occasional checks are still important even when your numbers look good.
Getting an Accurate Reading at Home
A single reading only tells part of the story. If you’re monitoring at home, small details can shift your numbers by several points in either direction. For the most reliable measurement:
- Timing: Avoid eating, drinking caffeine or alcohol, smoking, or exercising for at least 30 minutes beforehand.
- Position: Sit with your back supported and both feet flat on the floor for at least five minutes before measuring. Keep your legs uncrossed.
- Arm placement: Rest your arm on a table at chest height. Letting it hang at your side can artificially raise the reading.
- Cuff fit: Place the cuff on bare skin, snug but not tight.
- Stay quiet: Talking during the measurement can bump your numbers up.
It’s also worth knowing that as many as 1 in 3 people who get a high reading at the doctor’s office have perfectly normal blood pressure at home. Nerves alone can temporarily spike your numbers, a phenomenon called white coat syndrome. Measuring at home under calm, consistent conditions gives you the most accurate picture of where you truly stand.
If your home readings consistently land around 109/68, you’re in an excellent spot. That’s a number most cardiologists would be happy to see.