Weak grip and abdominal obesity linked to cardiovascular risk
Among 42,329 adults in China, those with both conditions had the highest risk of major cardiovascular events, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.49.
Limit: The conference abstract did not identify the reference group for its hazard ratios
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
An observational study followed 42,329 adults aged 35–70 in China for a median of 11.9 years. Researchers measured grip strength and defined abdominal obesity as a waist measuring at least 90 centimeters in men or 85 centimeters in women. They classified low grip strength by age and sex.
During follow-up, 3,258 major events affecting the heart or blood vessels occurred. People with both conditions had the highest risk, with an adjusted hazard ratio—a measure of relative risk—of 1.49. The link between abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk differed according to grip strength. Researchers did not find statistically significant evidence of this pattern when they used overall obesity instead of abdominal obesity.
Why it matters
Age-related declines in muscle strength often accompany abdominal fat accumulation. The findings suggest that cardiovascular risk assessments should consider abdominal fat alongside muscle weakness.
Caveats
This observational study could not establish cause and effect. It covered adults aged 35–70 in China, and the conference abstract did not identify the reference group for its hazard ratios.
