A blood pressure of 114/68 mmHg is a good reading. It falls squarely in the “normal” category, which is defined as a systolic (top number) below 120 and a diastolic (bottom number) below 80. Both of your numbers sit comfortably within that range, with room to spare before reaching the next category.
Where 114/68 Falls on the Chart
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology classify adult blood pressure into four categories:
- Normal: below 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated: 120 to 129 systolic with diastolic still below 80
- 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 114/68, you’re in the normal range on both numbers. These thresholds apply to all adults regardless of age. The 2025 AHA/ACC guidelines kept the same cutoffs and did not set separate targets for older versus younger adults.
What the Two Numbers Mean
The top number (114) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pushes blood out. The bottom number (68) measures the pressure between beats, when your heart is relaxed and refilling. A healthy reading means your heart isn’t working too hard to circulate blood, and your arteries aren’t under excessive strain.
Some people wonder whether a diastolic of 68 is too low. It’s not. Diastolic pressure is generally considered low only when it drops to 60 or below, and even then it’s often harmless in healthy people who aren’t experiencing symptoms like dizziness or fainting. At 68, your diastolic is well above that floor.
During Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant and got this reading, it’s also reassuring. Normal blood pressure during pregnancy is 120/80 or lower. High blood pressure in pregnancy is defined as 140/90 or above on two separate occasions after 20 weeks. A reading of 114/68 is healthy for both you and the pregnancy.
Factors That Can Shift Your Reading
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, so a single reading is a snapshot rather than a fixed number. Several things can temporarily push your numbers higher or lower than your true baseline. A full bladder alone can raise systolic pressure by as much as 33 mmHg. Caffeine, nicotine, and a recent meal also affect readings. Even nervousness in a clinic setting (the “white coat effect”) can inflate systolic pressure by up to 26 mmHg.
Physical positioning matters too. If your arm is hanging below heart level during measurement, the reading can be off by 4 to 23 mmHg. Crossing your legs at the knees or talking during the measurement also introduces errors. A cuff that’s the wrong size for your arm will skew results in either direction.
To get the most accurate reading, rest quietly for five minutes beforehand in a chair with your back supported. Keep both feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed. Place the cuff on your bare upper arm (not over clothing) at heart level, with the arm relaxed on a flat surface. Avoid eating, drinking caffeine, smoking, or exercising for at least 30 minutes before measuring. Taking two or three readings a minute apart and averaging them gives you a more reliable number than any single measurement.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in This Range
A reading of 114/68 doesn’t require any treatment or intervention. What it does suggest is that whatever you’re currently doing, whether through diet, activity level, genetics, or some combination, is working. The goal is simply to stay here.
As you age, systolic pressure tends to rise because arteries gradually stiffen and plaque accumulates over time. This is why systolic blood pressure is considered a more important risk factor for heart disease in people over 50. Regular physical activity, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, and moderating alcohol intake are the most effective ways to keep your numbers from creeping upward over the years.
Checking your blood pressure periodically at home or during routine checkups lets you catch any upward trend early, long before it reaches the elevated or hypertension range. At 114/68, you’re starting from a strong position.