Is The Answer To Heart Health In Your Palm?

A study suggests that the chances of having a heart attack may be hidden in the palm of your hands.

18:36 14 May 2015

A recent study published in the Lancet suggests that grip strength is better than blood pressure at predicting a heart attack, stroke, or dying young. However, the study, which involved 140,000 people in 14 countries, was not able to establish the link between the grip and heart. 

 

The scientists said that individuals whose grip strength declines fastest may be at greater risk of health problems. 

 

Dr Darryl Leong, one of the researchers at McMaster University in 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."

 

Doireann Maddock, from the British Heart Foundation, said: "The findings of this study are interesting. However, it doesn't explain why grip strength should be related to cardiovascular disease.

 

"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."