Simple handgrip test could help doctors detect early heart ageing in seniors

A simple handgrip test could soon become a valuable tool for doctors to detect early heart ageing in seniors, according to a new study from the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS). Researchers found that weak grip strength in healthy seniors is linked to early, hidden decline in the heart's upper left chamber – the left atrium – even before any symptoms appear.

Traditionally, doctors focus on the left ventricle, which pumps blood to the entire body, but this often leads to late detection of heart disease. The left atrium, which pumps oxygen-rich blood to the left ventricle, is more vulnerable to strain and disease in older adults. The study, involving 255 participants aged 71 on average, discovered that weaker handgrip strength and lower lean muscle mass were associated with a larger left atrium to left ventricle volume ratio, indicating less effective coordination between the two heart chambers.

This simple test, which measures upper body muscle strength, could help doctors identify at-risk patients within the community, particularly as Singapore's population becomes increasingly aged.