A blood pressure of 98/70 mmHg is a good reading. It falls within the normal range of 90/60 to 120/80 mmHg and sits comfortably below the thresholds where cardiovascular risk starts to climb. As long as you feel fine at this level, there’s nothing to worry about.
Where 98/70 Falls on the Scale
The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as a systolic (top number) below 120 and a diastolic (bottom number) below 80. Your reading of 98/70 clears both marks with room to spare. Hypotension, or clinically low blood pressure, is generally defined as a systolic below 90, a diastolic below 60, or both. At 98/70, you’re above both of those cutoffs.
Research on cardiovascular outcomes supports keeping blood pressure in this lower range. A large cohort study of middle-aged adults published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that systolic pressure below 120 and diastolic below 70 were associated with fewer cardiovascular events compared to higher readings. In other words, 98/70 isn’t just “not bad.” It’s in the range linked to the lowest heart disease and stroke risk.
Why Some People Naturally Run Lower
Blood pressure varies widely from person to person. Younger adults, women, and people who exercise regularly tend to have lower resting readings. In a study of young endurance athletes, systolic blood pressure ranged from 88 to 145 mmHg and diastolic from 45 to 82, with the average landing around 114/64. Even among non-athletes, systolic readings as low as 90 were observed. A reading of 98/70 fits well within these ranges for healthy, active people.
During pregnancy, blood pressure often dips in the first and second trimesters due to hormonal changes that relax blood vessel walls. Normal pregnancy blood pressure is 120/80 or lower, so 98/70 is perfectly typical for someone who is pregnant. Readings only become a concern if they climb to 140/90 or above after 20 weeks.
When Low Blood Pressure Is a Problem
Most healthcare professionals consider blood pressure too low only when it causes symptoms. The number itself matters less than how you feel. If 98/70 is your baseline and you’re going about your day without issues, it’s simply your normal.
Symptoms that suggest your blood pressure may be dropping too low include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
- Blurred or fading vision
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Trouble concentrating
- Nausea
- Fainting
A sudden drop in blood pressure is more dangerous than a consistently low reading. A change of just 20 mmHg can be enough to cause dizziness or fainting. So if your blood pressure is usually around 120/80 and suddenly reads 98/70, that shift could explain symptoms even though the number itself looks healthy. Context matters: what’s normal for one person can feel off for another.
Signs of a more serious problem include confusion (particularly in older adults), cold or clammy skin, rapid shallow breathing, and a weak, fast pulse. These point to shock, which is a medical emergency, but that scenario involves blood pressure far lower than 98/70 and usually follows an obvious trigger like severe dehydration, blood loss, or infection.
Making Sure Your Reading Is Accurate
A single reading can be misleading. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day based on activity, stress, hydration, and even posture. To get a reliable number, a few things matter. Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for at least 30 minutes before measuring. Sit in a chair with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and legs uncrossed for at least five minutes before taking the reading.
The cuff should go directly on bare skin on your upper arm, not over clothing. Your arm should rest on a flat surface so the cuff sits at heart level. Stay still and don’t talk during the measurement. If your home monitor gives you a reading of 98/70 under these conditions, you can feel confident it’s accurate. Taking two or three readings a minute apart and averaging them gives you an even clearer picture.
What 98/70 Means for Your Health
A blood pressure of 98/70 puts you in a favorable position for long-term cardiovascular health. You’re well below the elevated range (120-129 systolic), far from stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89), and above the threshold for clinical hypotension. For most people, this reading reflects a heart and circulatory system working efficiently without excess strain on blood vessel walls. If you feel well, this is one number you can stop worrying about.