Grip strength is a surrogate marker of overall muscle power. There is evidence that an individual’s muscle power correlates well with potential for disease and mortality in the long run. There are many measurements that can give us an index of risk for future disease: BP, body weight and blood sugar are some commonly used parameters. Can grip strength be another?

Can your hand grip strength predict risk of dying from stroke and heart attack?

Measurement of grip strength is a simple, inexpensive risk-stratifying method fo r a l l - cause dea th , cardiovascular events death, and cardiovascular disease. These findings present new directions for exploring measures to prevent these conditions.

Get a grip on the numbers13,691 individuals17 countriesVarying income and socio-cultural settingsFollowed for a median of 4 years.3379 people (2%) died in this period.

There was an increase in mortality for every 5kg reduction in hand strength with no association between grip strength and diabetes or systolic BP.

Medi-culling: 17 May 2015Dr Arjun Rajagopalan

16%OVERALL MORTALITY

Negative effect of each 5 kg reduction in grip strength

17%CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY

7%HEART ATTACK RATE

9%STROKERATE

Jamar dynamometer

BackgroundGrip strength can be assessed objectively with various devices. Grip strength can be measured quickly and repeat measurements can be made objectively.

Hand grip

Digital read out

Quo vadis?How new is this?

Is this an improvement?

Will it work in practice?

Can I use it now?