Handshakes can help measure early sign of heart failure

A weak handshake could be an early sign of a failing heart, British scientists say.

An association has been found between a limp grip and unwelcome changes in heart structure and function, and experts believe hand grip could be used as a broad measure of heart health.

Researchers analysed heart scan images from almost 5000 study participants, including people with floppy and vice-like handshakes.

They found a stronger grip was associated with higher volumes of blood being pumped by the heart and healthier heart muscle.

This in turn led to a lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

People with weak handshakes were more likely to have enlarged, damaged hearts.

Our study shows that better hand grip strength is associated with having a healthier heart structure and function, Professor Steffen Petersen, who led the team from Queen Mary University of London, said.

Hand grip strength is an inexpensive, reproducible and easy-to-implement measure and could become an easy way of identifying people at high risk of heart disease and preventing major life-changing events such as heart attacks.

For the study, hand grip strength was measured by asking people to grasp a device called a dynamometer for three seconds.

The findings appear in the journal Public Library of Science ONE.