When you think of stroke risk, you probably think about blood pressure, cholesterol or family history. But new research suggests some of the clues could be much simpler to spot.
A large study published in the medical journal Stroke has found that people with a slow walking pace, weak grip strength and signs of muscle loss have a higher risk of stroke.
Researchers analysed health data from 482,699 UK adults aged 37 to 73 and followed them for almost 14 years. During that time, 11,814 participants had a stroke, including 9,449 ischemic strokes, which are caused by a blocked blood vessel, and 2,029 hemorrhagic strokes, which occur when there is bleeding in the brain.
What the study found
People with low muscle strength had a 30 per cent higher risk of any type of stroke, a 31 per cent higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 41 per cent higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Lower grip strength, measured using a handheld grip test, was linked to a seven per cent higher risk of stroke, while a slow walking pace was associated with a 64 per cent higher risk compared with a brisk walking pace.
Study author Dr Lu-sha Tong, a neurologist, said these kinds of simple physical markers are not currently included in stroke risk assessments.
“As people age, they often lose muscle strength and mass,” Dr Tong said. “This loss is associated with higher stroke risk by showing lower physical health, chronic inflammation and changes in metabolism. Weak muscles may be an early warning sign of a higher risk for stroke.”
The researchers say the findings could help doctors use quick, low-cost checks, such as grip strength and walking speed, to identify people who may benefit from earlier prevention strategies.
Dr Tong added that walking pace showed a particularly strong link with stroke risk.
“Walking pace may be a good sign of overall health,” she said.
While the study does not show that weak muscles or slow walking directly cause stroke, it adds to growing evidence that muscle health is an important part of ageing well.
Why knowing the signs matters
Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers, taking more lives each year than breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
According to Stroke Foundation, there were an estimated 45,785 stroke events in Australia in 2023, including 34,793 first-ever strokes. That equates to one stroke every 11 minutes.
The good news is that more than 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented, which makes knowing your risk factors – and recognising the signs – so important.
How to detect a stroke
The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke, which involves asking these simple questions:
Face: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms: Can they lift both arms?
Speech: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time: Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.
