Key result
Lower handgrip strength was independently associated with increased arterial stiffness, demonstrating a 0.08 m/s increase in pulse wave velocity per 5 kg decrease in grip strength.
Why the study?
Low handgrip strength and increased arterial stiffness are both linked to poor health outcomes, but evidence on their relationship is limited.
Is low handgrip strength associated with increased arterial stiffness in adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,511)
Yes
Is low handgrip strength associated with increased arterial stiffness in adults?
Mean Difference: -0.08 (95% CI -0.095–-0.054)
p-value: p=<0.001
Low handgrip strength is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness, suggesting a link between muscle strength decline and vascular aging.
Low handgrip strength associated with higher PWV; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Low handgrip strength and increased arterial stiffness are both associated with poor health outcomes, but evidence on the relationship between handgrip strength and arterial stiffness is limited. In this cross-sectional analysis of combined baseline datasets from the LipidCardio and Berlin Aging Study II cohorts we aimed to examine whether handgrip strength (HGS) is associated with arterial stiffness. 1511 participants with a median age of 68.56 (IQR 63.13-73.08) years were included. Arterial stiffness was assessed by aortal pulse wave velocity (PWV) with the Mobil-O-Graph device. Handgrip strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer.The mean HGS was 39.05 ± 9.07 kg in men and 26.20 ± 7.47 kg in women. According to multivariable linear regression analysis per 5 kg decrease in handgrip strength there was a mean increase in PWV of 0.08 m/s after adjustment for the confounders age, sex, coronary artery disease, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, cohort, and smoking. Thus, there was evidence that low handgrip strength and increased arterial stiffness go hand in hand. Arterial stiffness can possibly create the missing link between low handgrip strength and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Causality and direction of causality remain to be determined.
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König et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Arterial stiffness and low muscle strength (n=1,511). Handgrip strength vs. Lower handgrip strength was evaluated on Pulse wave velocity (PWV) change per 5 kg increase in handgrip strength (MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.095 to -0.054, p=<0.001). Lower handgrip strength was independently associated with increased arterial stiffness, demonstrating a 0.08 m/s increase in pulse wave velocity per 5 kg decrease in grip strength.
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