A blood pressure of 118/62 falls into the “normal” category under the 2025 guidelines from the American Heart Association. Your systolic number (118) is just under the 120 cutoff for normal, which is excellent. The diastolic number (62) is well below 80, which also counts as normal. But that diastolic reading sits in a range worth understanding more closely, because lower isn’t always better when it comes to the bottom number.
Where 118/62 Fits in the Guidelines
Current blood pressure categories for adults break down like this:
- Normal: systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80
- Elevated: systolic 120 to 129 and diastolic below 80
- Stage 1 hypertension: systolic 130 to 139 or diastolic 80 to 89
- Stage 2 hypertension: systolic 140 or higher, or diastolic 90 or higher
Both your numbers land in the normal range, and these categories apply the same way regardless of age. The guidelines no longer use different thresholds for people over or under 65.
Why the Diastolic Number Deserves a Closer Look
Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) reflects the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats, when your heart is resting and refilling with blood. At 62, yours is technically normal, but it’s closer to a threshold that researchers have flagged as a potential concern.
Multiple studies have found what’s called a “J-shaped curve” for diastolic pressure: risk drops as diastolic goes down from high levels, but then starts climbing again once it dips below roughly 60 to 65. One large analysis of U.S. adults found that people with a diastolic reading below 60 and a normal systolic number had a 30% higher risk of death from any cause and a 34% higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to those with a diastolic between 70 and 80. When diastolic drops below 55, the risk of cardiovascular events nearly doubles in some studies.
At 62, you’re above those danger zones. But if your diastolic regularly reads in the low 60s or trends downward over time, it’s useful information to share with your doctor, especially if you’re over 70, have a history of heart problems, or take blood pressure medication.
Who Tends to Have a Lower Diastolic Reading
A diastolic reading in the low 60s doesn’t automatically signal a problem. Several factors make it more likely. People over 70 are nearly five times more likely to have a diastolic below 60 compared to younger adults. This happens because arteries naturally stiffen with age, which tends to push systolic pressure up while pulling diastolic pressure down. Women are also somewhat more likely to have lower diastolic readings, as are current smokers.
In younger, healthy people, a diastolic in the low 60s is common and usually reflects good cardiovascular fitness. Athletes and people who exercise regularly often run lower blood pressures overall. The context matters: a 30-year-old runner with 118/62 and no symptoms is in a very different situation than a 75-year-old with heart disease seeing the same numbers.
The Pulse Pressure Factor
One additional thing your reading reveals is your pulse pressure, which is simply the top number minus the bottom number. For 118/62, that’s 56. A healthy pulse pressure is generally around 40, and readings consistently above 40 can signal increased stiffness in the arteries. A pulse pressure of 56 is mildly elevated. This isn’t alarming on its own, but it’s another data point. If your systolic stays near 118 while your diastolic keeps dropping, that widening gap is worth tracking.
Symptoms That Would Change the Picture
Most health professionals consider blood pressure “too low” only when it causes symptoms. If you feel fine at 118/62, there’s no clinical concern. But if you regularly experience any of the following, your reading becomes more relevant:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
- Blurred or fading vision
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Trouble concentrating
- Fainting episodes
A sudden drop of even 20 points in blood pressure can cause dizziness or fainting, so consistency matters more than any single reading. If your blood pressure is usually higher and suddenly comes in at 118/62, pay attention to how you feel.
Getting an Accurate Reading
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on activity, stress, caffeine, hydration, and even the position of your arm. A single reading of 118/62 is a snapshot, not a diagnosis. To know whether this number reflects your true baseline, take readings at the same time of day over several days. Sit quietly for at least five minutes before measuring, keep your feet flat on the floor, and position the cuff on your upper arm at heart level. Averaging multiple readings gives you a much more reliable picture than any one measurement.
If your average consistently comes in around 118/62, you’re in normal territory with a diastolic number that’s low-normal. For most people, particularly those under 60 or 65 with no heart conditions, this is a genuinely good blood pressure reading.