Relative Handgrip Strength and Incidence of Hypertension: A Case-Cohort Study From Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases Cohort
in Journal of Physical Activity and HealthClick name to view affiliation
Background: The present study assessed the association between relative handgrip strength (RHGS) and hypertension incidence in healthy adults. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.
Najafi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8530-7180
Rezaeian https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5094-5315
Hamzeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1110-0870
Moradinazar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7033-6755
Shakiba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9603-4293
Pasdar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8682-5721
Darbandi (m.darbandi@kums.ac.ir) is corresponding author, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9173-8814
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