A blood pressure of 110/73 is a good reading. It falls squarely within the normal category, which is defined as below 120/80 mmHg. This is the healthiest blood pressure range, associated with the lowest risk of heart disease and stroke.
Where 110/73 Falls on the Chart
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology classify blood pressure into four categories:
- Normal: below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic
- Elevated: 120 to 129 systolic with diastolic still below 80
- Hypertension Stage 1: 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic
- Hypertension Stage 2: 140 or higher systolic, or 90 or higher diastolic
At 110/73, both your top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic) sit comfortably in the normal range. The systolic number represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, and the diastolic number is the pressure between beats. Both matter, and both of yours are well within healthy limits. The 2025 updated guidelines reaffirmed a treatment target of below 130/80 for most adults, so you’re already well below that threshold.
Your Pulse Pressure Looks Normal Too
Pulse pressure is the gap between your top and bottom numbers. For a reading of 110/73, that gap is 37 mmHg. A normal pulse pressure is around 40 mmHg, so 37 is close and well within a healthy range. A pulse pressure becomes concerning when it’s very wide (60 mmHg or more) or very narrow (less than one-quarter of your systolic number, which in your case would be below about 28). At 37, yours doesn’t raise any flags.
Could 110/73 Be Too Low?
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is generally defined as a reading below 90/60 mmHg. At 110/73, you’re nowhere near that threshold. That said, blood pressure that’s technically “normal” on paper can still feel low for some people, especially if it represents a sudden drop from their usual level. A decrease of just 20 points in the systolic number (say, from 110 down to 90) can cause dizziness or fainting.
If you feel fine at 110/73, there’s nothing to worry about. Some people naturally run on the lower end of normal and have no symptoms at all. Low blood pressure only becomes a medical concern when it causes noticeable problems like lightheadedness, blurred vision, or fainting.
Making Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single blood pressure reading is just a snapshot. To know if 110/73 truly reflects your resting blood pressure, the conditions under which you took it matter. The CDC recommends the following for an accurate measurement:
- Timing: Avoid eating, drinking, or exercising for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Empty your bladder first.
- Position: Sit in a chair with your back supported for at least five minutes before the reading. Keep both feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed.
- Arm placement: Rest your arm on a table so the cuff sits at chest height. The cuff should be on bare skin, not over clothing.
- During the reading: Don’t talk while the measurement is being taken.
If you took your reading under rushed conditions, right after coffee, or while standing, the number could be off in either direction. Taking two or three readings a minute apart and averaging them gives a more reliable picture. If you consistently see numbers in the range of 110/73, that’s a solid indicator of healthy cardiovascular function.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in This Range
Having normal blood pressure now doesn’t guarantee it stays that way. Blood pressure tends to creep upward with age as arteries gradually stiffen. The lifestyle habits that help maintain a healthy reading are the ones you’ve probably heard before: regular physical activity, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limited sodium intake, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress. These aren’t just preventive measures for people with high readings. They’re what keeps a good number like 110/73 from drifting into elevated territory over the next decade.
Checking your blood pressure a few times a year, even when it’s normal, helps you catch any gradual upward trend early, before it becomes a problem that needs treatment.