Blood Pressure 104/68 mmHg: Normal and Requires No Treatment
A blood pressure of 104/68 mmHg in an asymptomatic adult is normal and does not require any treatment. This reading falls well below all diagnostic thresholds for hypertension and represents healthy cardiovascular function.
Blood Pressure Classification
According to the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines, your blood pressure is classified as normal because both values are below 120/80 mmHg 1:
- Normal BP: <120/<80 mmHg
- Elevated BP: 120-129/<80 mmHg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89 mmHg
- Stage 2 Hypertension: ≥140/≥90 mmHg
Your reading of 104/68 mmHg is significantly below even the normal threshold, indicating no concern for hypertension 1.
Why No Treatment Is Needed
No pharmacological or non-pharmacological intervention is indicated for this blood pressure reading 1, 2. The ACC/AHA guidelines reserve treatment recommendations for:
- Elevated BP or Stage 1 hypertension with low cardiovascular risk (<10% 10-year ASCVD risk): nonpharmacological therapy only 1, 2
- Stage 1 hypertension with high cardiovascular risk (≥10% 10-year ASCVD risk): combination of nonpharmacological and drug therapy 1, 2
- Stage 2 hypertension: immediate combination therapy with two antihypertensive agents 1, 2
Since your BP is normal, none of these treatment pathways apply 1.
Follow-Up Recommendations
For adults with normal blood pressure, repeat evaluation every year is reasonable 1, 2. This annual screening helps detect any future elevation, given that approximately 90% of adults free of hypertension at age 55 or 65 develop hypertension during their lifetimes 1.
Important Caveats
While 104/68 mmHg is normal and requires no treatment, you should be aware of two scenarios where clinical attention may be warranted:
Symptomatic hypotension: If you experience dizziness, syncope, visual disturbances, or fatigue with this blood pressure, evaluation for orthostatic hypotension or other causes of symptomatic low blood pressure is appropriate 3
Orthostatic blood pressure changes: If you have a drop in systolic BP >20 mmHg or diastolic BP >10 mmHg upon standing, this defines orthostatic hypotension and may require management even if seated BP is normal 3
However, in an asymptomatic adult, a BP of 104/68 mmHg is entirely normal and reassuring 1, 3.