You just sat down, the cuff squeezed your arm, and the digital screen flashed: 104/68. Most people stare at those numbers and wonder if they should be worried. It feels lower than the "perfect" 120/80 we’ve all had drilled into our heads since elementary school health class. Honestly, seeing 104 68 blood pressure can be a bit of a head-scratcher if you aren't feeling sick but the numbers look "off."
Is it good? Is it bad? Well, it depends on who you are and how you feel.
Most doctors will tell you this is actually a fantastic reading. It’s what we call "optimal" in many cases. But for some, it’s a one-way ticket to feeling like you’re walking through a fog.
Understanding the 104 68 Blood Pressure Reading
Blood pressure is basically just a measure of how hard your blood is pushing against the walls of your arteries. The top number, the systolic, is the pressure when your heart beats. That’s your 104. The bottom number, the diastolic, is the pressure when your heart rests between beats. That’s your 68.
When you look at the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, anything under 120/80 is considered normal. But 104/68 sits in a specific sweet spot. It’s low enough that your arteries aren't being stressed, but usually high enough to keep oxygen flowing to your brain.
Why doctors love these numbers
If you walk into a clinic with a 104 68 blood pressure reading, your nurse might actually give you a high-five. Why? Because lower blood pressure—as long as it’s not causing symptoms—is like a shield for your cardiovascular system. It means your heart isn't working overtime. It means your kidneys aren't being hammered by high-pressure flow.
💡 You might also like: Can drinking apple cider vinegar help you lose weight? What the science actually says
For athletes, teenagers, and petite adults, this is often their baseline. It’s just how they’re built. Their pipes are clear, their heart is efficient, and their body is humming along just fine.
When 104 over 68 becomes a problem
Numbers don't tell the whole story. Symptoms do.
If you have 104 68 blood pressure and you feel like a million bucks, keep doing what you’re doing. But if you’re dizzy, let’s talk. Hypotension (low blood pressure) isn't usually defined by a specific number on the machine; it's defined by how your body reacts to it.
I’ve seen patients who normally run 140/90. If their pressure suddenly drops to 104/68 because of a new medication or an illness, they’re going to feel terrible. They might feel like they’re going to faint every time they stand up. This is called orthostatic hypotension. It’s that "seeing stars" feeling when you get off the couch too fast.
Check yourself for these:
- Blurry vision that comes and goes.
- A weird, nagging fatigue that coffee won't fix.
- Cold, clammy skin.
- Nausea that hits out of nowhere.
- Feeling "spaced out" or unable to concentrate.
If those are happening, then yeah, 104/68 might be too low for you specifically.
The role of dehydration and electrolytes
Sometimes, a dip into the low 100s is just your body screaming for water. Or salt.
Blood is mostly water. If you’re dehydrated, your blood volume drops. When blood volume drops, blood pressure follows it down the drain. It’s simple physics. If you’ve been sweating a lot or maybe had one too many margaritas the night before, your 104 68 blood pressure might just be a sign that you need a glass of water and maybe a salty snack.
Who usually sees these numbers?
Certain groups of people live in the 104/68 zone perpetually.
Endurance athletes are the classic example. When you run marathons or cycle for hours, your heart becomes an incredibly efficient pump. It doesn't need to push as hard to move blood. It’s common to see elite athletes with resting blood pressures even lower than 104/68.
Young women also frequently fall into this category. Hormonal factors and smaller body frames often lead to lower baseline readings. It’s usually nothing to worry about unless it’s paired with extreme fatigue or fainting spells.
Pregnancy is another big one. During the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, blood pressure usually drops. This is because the circulatory system expands rapidly to accommodate the baby. It’s a bit of a "plumbing" issue—the pipes got bigger, but the fluid amount is still catching up. If you're seeing 104 68 blood pressure during your second trimester, your OB-GYN will likely tell you it’s totally normal, though they’ll keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't bottom out.
Medications that might be the culprit
If you’re taking meds for high blood pressure and your reading hits 104/68, your dosage might be too high. Beta-blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors are designed to bring the numbers down. Sometimes they work a little too well.
Other drugs can mess with it too:
- Antidepressants (specifically TCAs).
- Drugs for Parkinson's disease.
- Erectile dysfunction medications (especially if taken with nitrates).
If you’re on any of these and feeling woozy at 104 68, you should definitely call your doctor. Don't just stop taking your pills, though. That can cause a "rebound" effect where your pressure spikes dangerously high.
The "Silent" benefit of 104 68 blood pressure
We spend so much time worrying about the "silent killer" (high blood pressure) that we forget the benefits of being on the lower end of the spectrum.
Research from the Sprint Trial and various longitudinal studies suggests that lower systolic pressure—down toward 110 or 100—significantly reduces the risk of stroke and heart failure over a lifetime. Think of your arteries like a garden hose. If you leave the water on high pressure for 50 years, the hose gets brittle and eventually bursts. If the pressure is lower, the hose lasts much longer.
104 68 blood pressure is basically the "low-stress" setting for your body. You're preserving your organ function for the long haul.
How to accurately track your numbers at home
Don't trust a single reading. Seriously.
Blood pressure is volatile. It changes when you talk, when you hold your breath, or even if your bladder is full. To know if 104 68 blood pressure is your true average, you need to test correctly.
Sit in a chair with your back supported. Keep your feet flat on the floor—no crossing your legs! Rest your arm on a table so the cuff is at heart level. Stay quiet for five minutes before you hit the "start" button. If you just finished a workout or a stressful meeting, your numbers will be all over the place.
Wait. Take it again. Average the two.
If you keep seeing 104 68 blood pressure consistently and you feel fine, you can probably stop stressing about it.
When to seek medical attention
While I've said this reading is generally great, there are "red flag" scenarios.
If your pressure is 104/68 and you are also experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or a sudden, severe headache, get to an ER. This isn't about the 104/68 anymore; it's about the potential for something like a heart attack or an internal bleed that is causing your pressure to sag.
Also, watch out for "shock" symptoms. If someone's pressure is low and they are confused, have a rapid pulse, or are breathing fast, that's a medical emergency.
Actionable steps for managing 104 68 blood pressure
If you feel fine, your "action" is basically to keep living your life. But if you want to stabilize your pressure and ensure it doesn't dip further, here’s the game plan.
- Salt is actually your friend here. Unlike most of the world, people with naturally low blood pressure can benefit from a bit more sodium. It helps hold fluid in the bloodstream. A little extra sea salt on your eggs might be all you need to clear that afternoon brain fog.
- Hydrate like it’s your job. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily. If you're 150 lbs, that's 75 ounces.
- Compression socks. It sounds like something your grandma would wear, but they work. They prevent blood from pooling in your legs, which keeps more of it circulating in your upper body and brain.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Some people experience a drop in pressure after big, heavy meals because all the blood rushes to the digestive tract. Keeping meals light can prevent that post-lunch slump.
- Move your ankles. If you’ve been sitting for a long time, pump your feet up and down before you stand up. It gets the blood moving and prevents that sudden dizzy spell.
Most importantly, keep a log. If you notice your 104 68 blood pressure consistently correlates with days you feel tired, take that log to your doctor. It's the best data they can have to help you figure out if your "perfect" numbers are actually perfect for you.
💡 You might also like: Why Celiac Disease Pictures Images Often Miss the Reality of the Gut
Check your pulse while you’re at it. A very slow heart rate (bradycardia) combined with 104/68 can sometimes point to thyroid issues or electrical problems in the heart. But again, if you’re an athlete, a slow pulse and a 104/68 reading are just signs of a very "tuned" engine.
Focus on how you feel more than the digits on the screen. If you have energy, your mind is sharp, and you aren't hitting the floor when you stand up, then 104/68 isn't a problem—it's a privilege.