How your handshake can give you clues about your health - 3 things to look for

30 September 2023 , 18:21

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A handshake can tell you a lot about your health (Image: Getty Images)

Shaking hands isn't as simple as we think because we need to consider whether their (or your) hands are clean, if the situation even requires a handshake or how strong a handshake can be.

It's known that you tell a lot about someone's personality from their handshake. However, did you know that this greeting may also tell you the state of your health? Here's what your handshake can reveal, from your likelihood of having a stroke to dying early.

If you think you could have any of the conditions mentioned below, or have any concerns about your physical or mental health, it's important you see your doctor, who can also test your grip strength.

Poor heart health

Research by scientists at Queen Mary University of London showed that a weak handshake may be linked to a greater risk of heart attack or stroke. Those with low grip strengths had weaker hearts, which were less able to pump blood around the body, according to data.

On the other hand, stronger shakers were found to have higher volumes and proportions of blood pumped by the heart, and a healthier heart muscle. These factors have been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular problems.

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Early death

It’s not only heart attacks and strokes that are associated with a less-than-firm grip. A national study published British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that those who develop a weak hold in midlife have a 20 per cent higher risk of death from heart and respiratory diseases and cancer.

Furthermore, a study of over a million adolescent males born in Sweden between 1951 and 1976 revealed that lower hand-grip strength was “significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality."

Depression

While a weak grip has long been associated with nervousness, it could actually signal poor mental health.

researchers at Yonsei University College of Medicine also found people with a weaker hand grip were up to three times more likely to have undiagnosed depression.

In the future, doctors may be able to tell if a patient is in the early stages of the condition simply by shaking their hand. The reason for this is not clear. One theory is that having a softer grip can be a marker for poorer overall physical strength, caused by the lack of physical activity — a typical hallmark of declining mental wellbeing.

Zesha Saleem