Research, which has been undertaken by an international team including MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, outlines that a high grip strength is associated with cardiac morphology and indicative of low cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have shown a link between hand grasping force (due to increased muscle mass) and the incidence of cardiovascular disease: the higher the strength, the lower the risk of heart attacks.
The UK Biobank study included 4,654 adult patients (with a mean age of 55.8 years), with no history of cardiovascular disease. The structure and function of the heart were studied by cardiac MRI, and the grip strength of the hand was measured using a dynamometer.
Different markers according to age
After adjusting for various parameters, it was determined that a high level of grip strength is associated with “a high end-diastolic volume of the left ventricle (LV) and a high LV systolic ejection volume. A negative association is also shown with LV mass and LV mass-volume ratio.”
Different trends were observed according to age; and as a result indicated “a link with LV end-diastolic volume and LV systolic ejection volume being stronger in younger subjects, whereas the association with LV mass and LV mass-volume ratio was stronger in the older subjects”.
These results suggest that better grip strength is associated with decreased cardiac hypertrophy and remodelling. “These features are known to be negatively associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease,” says the authors. “In fact, we find in individuals with a high grip strength the same type of cardiac adaptation that we observe in individuals who have a good physical capacity measured on a bicycle, racquet sports and sailing etc.”
Forest Medical – Blood Pressure Monitor Calibration Service
As with all medical equipment to diagnose cardiac irregularities, it is important that your unit is operating as the manufacturer intended. A slight deviance from the allowable tolerance will give a false reading and could mean receiving the wrong treatment; this applies to both digital and aneroid units.
Forest Medical specialises in Blood Pressure Monitor Calibration and can provide all the help you need to keep your monitor in good condition. This will ensure that you can continue to receive accurate results and stay well informed about your health.
If you have any concerns about your home testing equipment, send it to us, using our Return to Base option, and let us help you keep an eye on your heart health with our medical equipment testing services. Our service is fast and convenient for you, so you are not left without your vital medical equipment for extended periods of time.