The strength of a person’s grip could be a key indicator of their risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers say today.
Measuring grip could be a "quick, low-cost" way of screening for heart disease, according to a report in The Lancet.
Doctors studied grip because it can indicate reduced muscle strength.
The project involving nearly 140,000 adults in 17 countries found that every decline in grip strength of 5kg was linked to a 17% increased risk of death from heart disease.
It was also linked specifically to a 7% increased risk of heart attack and a 9% increased risk of having a stroke.
Researcher Dr Darryl Leong, of McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, said: "Grip strength could be an easy and inexpensive test to assess an individual’s risk of death and cardiovascular disease.
"Further research is needed to establish whether efforts to improve muscle strength are likely to reduce an individual’s risk of death and cardiovascular disease."
The British Heart Foundation said the researchers had not explained how grip strength might be linked to heart disease.
Doireann Maddock, from the foundation, said: "More research is needed to understand any possible link between the two.
“The good news is we already know there are several established risk factors for cardiovascular disease and an NHS health check can assess your risk. So if you’re over 40 years old speak with your GP or practice nurse about getting this done."
Lancet 14 May 2015 [abstract]
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