Handgrip test could help doctors detect early heart ageing
Researchers at the National Heart Centre Singapore have discovered that weak handgrip strength in seniors is linked to early decline in left atrial heart function. This simple physical test could serve as a non-invasive screening tool to detect heart failure risks before symptoms manifest.
Why it matters
Early detection of heart ageing through simple physical assessments could significantly improve preventative care and reduce the burden of heart failure in ageing populations.
Ewe See Hooi (standing, left), director of echocardiography at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), and Angela Koh, director of the Cardiovascular Ageing and Longevity Programme at NHCS, demonstrating the use of advanced echocardiography techniques to assess the heart’s structure and function, particularly the left atrium and its interaction with the left ventricle.
Listen Summarise Reduced muscle strength and mass in elderly people are linked to impaired left atrial heart function, an early sign of heart failure. The left atrium's role is crucial but often overlooked; weaker hand grip strength correlates with poor coordination between left atrium and ventricle. Using hand grip tests to assess muscle health may help detect heart failure risk early in ageing populations, aiding timely intervention. AI generated
SINGAPORE – A simple squeeze of a handgrip could soon help doctors gauge how well an elderly person’s heart is ageing , long before any symptoms appear.
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