Stroke, heart attack and death risk may be predicted by grip strength

arge international study has associated weak grip strength with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as increased risk of death from both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases.

Every 5 kg reduction in grip strength was linked to a 9% higher risk of stroke and a 7% greater risk of heart attack in the study.

Lead investigator Dr. Darryl Leong, of the Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University in Canada, and colleagues publish their findings in The Lancet.

Based on their findings, the team says a grip strength test could be used as a rapid, low-cost screening tool for health care professionals to identify patients at high risk of severe illness, as well those at high risk of death from such conditions.

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