A recent study has shown that grip strength may be a good predictor of the risk for cardiovascular disease. The study consisted of 139,691 people, ages, 35 to 70, in 17 high, middle, and low-income countries. The data gathered consisted of height, weight, blood pressure, physical activity, dietary intake, and other health and behavioral factors. The averages of grip strength were adjusted for gender, age, and height. For males the average grip ranged from 67 to 84 pounds and for women it ranged from 54 to 62 pounds.

 

Over the next for years, 3,379 people died. After controlling for other variables, the scientists calculated that each 11-pound decrease in grip strength was associated with a 17 percent increased risk of cardiovascular death, a 7 percent increased risk of heart attack and a 9 percent increased risk of stroke. An association was not found for grip strength and risk of diabetes, pneumonia, falls or fractures, but it was a stronger predictor of all-cause death and of cardiovascular death than systolic blood pressure.

 

The lead author, Dr. Darryl P Leong, an assistant professor of medicine at McMaster University in Ontario, said that it was unclear if grip strength is just a marker of good health or if increasing it by training would lower cardiovascular disease risk. But, he added “As physicians, we recommend exercising most days a week, and this sort of study says we should be including training as part of it.”

 

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