Association between handgrip strength and vascular function in patients with hypertension

Background: Increased handgrip strength has been associated with lower cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in different populations. In patients with hypertension, arterial stiffness relates to cardiovascular mortality. However, whether muscle strength is associated with arterial stiffness in hypertensives is unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the association between handgrip strength and arterial stiffness parameters in hypertensive patients. Methods: Seventy-two hypertensive patients completed all evaluations and were included in the analysis. The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) was obtained based on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and reflected wave indicator (AIx and AIx@75) were estimated using applanation tonometry technique, whereas handgrip strength test was performed using a digital dynamometer. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were performed. Results: The crude analysis revealed a negative association between handgrip strength and AASI (b = -0.41, p = 0.002) and AIx (b = -0.49, p < 0.001), and AIx@75 (b = -0.54, p < 0.001) which remained significant after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index, mean blood pressure, and heart rate only for AASI (b = -0.46, p = 0.028) and AIx@75 (b = -0.24, p- = 0.040). Handgrip strength was not associated with cfPWV (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Handgrip strength is negatively associated with AASI and AIx@75, but not with AIx and cfPWV in hypertensive patients.