Weak Handshake? You May Be at Higher Risk of Stroke

If you're a slow walker or someone with a weak handshake, it may not bode well for your future. A new study finds that those who walk slowly may be more likely to develop dementia later in life, the BBC reports. Researchers looked at brain scans, walking speeds, and grip strength for 2,410 people aged, on average, 62 years. Eleven years later, 34 of them had developed dementia, and researchers found the risk was higher in those who had a slower pace.

In addition, 79 had had a stroke, and that risk was higher in people who had a weaker grip. "These are basic office tests which can provide insight into risk of dementia and stroke and can be easily performed by a neurologist or general practitioner," says the lead researcher, who also cautioned that more study is needed. A research manager at the Alzheimer's Society reinforces that notion, saying, "Before people take stock in the strength of a handshake or the speed you cross the road, more research is needed to understand why and what other factors are involved." (More Alzheimer's disease stories.)