Relative Handgrip Strength and Incidence of Hypertension: A Case-Cohort Study From Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases...

The present study assessed the association between relative handgrip strength (RHGS) and hypertension incidence in healthy adults.

We performed a case-cohort study on 3784 participants from Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases cohort study. The absolute HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer. Hypertension was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg and/or use of antihypertensive medications. Cox regression analysis was utilized to estimate hazard ratios of incident hypertension events with RHGS.

Physical activity was significantly higher in the participants with hypertension compared with nonhypertensive participants (P < .001). High-level physical activity in the subjects with lower, middle, and upper RHGS was 19.6%, 33.1%, and 47.3%, respectively (P < .001). RHGS was significantly higher in individuals with greater skeletal muscle mass (P < .001). The men and women with the upper RHGS, had an 80% (hazard ratio: 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.3) and 70% (hazard ratio: 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-1.2), were lower risk of hypertension compared with those with the lower RHGS, respectively. This association remains significant after adjustment for confounding factors in men.

The study demonstrated that middle and upper levels of RHGS were associated with a lower risk of hypertension incidence. RHGS may be a protective factor for hypertension. We suggested muscle strengthening exercises.