Association between relative handgrip strength and hypertension in Chinese adults: An analysis of four successive national surveys with 712,442 individuals (2000-2014)

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to identify the 15-year trends of handgrip strength-to-weight (relative HS) and assess the association between relative HS and hypertension among Chinese adults aged 20–69. Methods Using a complex, stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling, we analyzed data collected from 712,442 adults aged 20–69 years in four successive national surveys (2000–2014). We used a handheld dynamometer to measure strength and divided by body weight to calculate the relative HS. Blood pressure was recorded with a sphygmomanometer and hypertension was defined as resting systolic blood pressure at least 140 mmHg or diastolic at least 90 mmHg. The Mann-Kendall trend test examined trends in relative HS over time. We also computed odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) by tertile of relative HS and examined the association between relative HS and hypertension. Results The relative HS level decreased with the increase of age in both male and females (p trend <0.001). In each of four surveys, one interquartile decrease in relative HS was associated with an increased risk of hypertension by 44% (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.40–1.47), 58% (OR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.54–1.62), 48% (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.45–1.52), 43% (OR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.40–1.47), respectively. Conclusion In the Chinese adult population, the relative HS level decreased from 2000 to 2014 across all ages in both males and females. A lower relative HS was associated with a higher risk of hypertension. The findings provided evidence for the association between muscle strength and hypertension in large-scaled population.

Relative Handgrip Strength is Inversely Associated with Hypertension in Consideration of Visceral Adipose Dysfunction: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Korea

“…In our study, there was an inverse association between the sex-specific tertiles of rHGS and risk of hypertension even after adjusting for VAI and PA-time, as shown in Table 2 . This result supports previous findings of an inverse association between muscular strength and risk of hypertension ( Feng et al, 2021 ). However, considering these contradictory results, it can be inferred that the associations between muscular strength and risk of hypertension have not been fully investigated.…”

“…Unlike in aerobic exercise training, which plays a beneficial role on vascular health including BP ( Fagard, 2006 ; Pagonas et al, 2017 ), the associations between resistance training or muscular strength and the factors related to hypertension are controversial. In several studies, higher muscular strength was associated with a lower risk of hypertension ( Maslow et al, 2010 ; Feng et al, 2021 ). However, this association between muscular strength and risk of hypertension was no longer significant after adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness ( Maslow et al, 2010 ), and no significant correlation was found between muscular strength and risk of hypertension in a recent meta-analysis ( Bai et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Assessment of handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple, quick, reliable, and inexpensive method to evaluate muscular fitness in clinical settings ( Bohannon, 2008 ) and is strongly correlated with whole-body muscular strength ( Wind et al, 2010 ; Vaidya and Nariya, 2021 ). Recent studies have demonstrated inverse and significant associations between HGS and the risk of hypertension ( Chon et al, 2020 ; Feng et al, 2021 ). However, no significant correlation between HGS and the risk of hypertension was detected in a recent meta-analysis ( Bai et al, 2020 ).…”

Muscle quality is negatively related to hypertension prevalence in adults: Results from NHANES 2011–2014

“…Moreover, it is worth mentioning that our negative correlation between muscle quality and hypertension prevalence was further confirmed by subgroup analysis with the uniformity of associations across wide‐ranging groups. Simultaneously, this negative association was supported by previous findings indicating that increased relative HGS (i.e., HGS standardized to BMI or body weight) is related to lower hypertension prevalence, which may be attributed to the fact that the nature of muscle quality is still a kind of relative strength 28–31 . Herein, we can conclude that relative HGS, including muscle quality, presents a more robust and plausible negative association with hypertension risk.…”

Relationship of Handgrip Strength and Endurance Time With Body Mass Index in Medical Students

“…But contrast result showed in case of female with underweight had highest grip strength. 13 Another study by Oseloka I.A. et.al showed positive correlation of grip strength with BMI in secondary school students.…”