Objectives: According to British researchers the handgrip strength is in connection with increase of mortality risk. The aim of this study is to find relationship within domestic respect between handgrip strength and cardiovascular diseases, major cardiac indexes, physical activities, smoking and other lifestyles.

Methods: The research was carried out in 2018 in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. 170 participants, Group I.: 70 people, age 21.6±1.5 healthy young women, Group II.: 50 people, age 41.2±7.0 healthy middle-aged women, Group III.: 30 people, age 73.1±6.3 elderly women with cardiovascular disease, Group IV.: 20 people, age 68.4±4.5 healthy elderly women. Exclusion criteria were: traumatic hand problems. Analysed variables: 1) blood pressure, 2) handgrip strength, 3) anthropometric data, 4) physical activities, 5) general anamnesis. Statistics: descriptive statistic, correlations, ANOVA analysis, independent samples t-test and chi2-test, (SPSS 20 v.), p<0.05.

Results: There is a difference between groups, handgrip strength in pound (lb): Group I.: 130.7±22.4lb, Group II.: 118.6±21.4lb, Group III.: 99.5±32.5lb, Group IV.: 118.8±18.9lb (p=0.001, p_1-2=0.62, p_1-3=0.003, p_1-4 = 0.284, p_2-3=0.09, p_2-4= 1.00, p_3-4= 0.053). There are correlation between age and handgrip strength (r=-0.35, p<0.001), the handgrip strength and body muscle (%) (r=0.51, p<0.001). People with high blood pressure have smaller handgrip strength (people with high blood pressure: 106.5±41.7lb, people with normal blood pressure: 121.6±23.9lb, p=0.032). The diastolic blood pressure affects the handgrip strength of right hand according to a multi-factorial analysis of variance. (p=0.047). Those who do sports regularly have bigger handgrip strength (p=0.004), while smokers have smaller one (p=0.043).

Conclusions: Total handgrip strength is associated with the whole body muscle, age, blood pressure, physical activity and smoking. The handgrip strength can predict the risk of the cardiovascular diseases – similar to the blood pressure and pulse.