# Associations Between Physical Capability Markers and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective Study of 439,295 UK Biobank Participants

## TL;DR

This study shows that better physical capability, like stronger grip and more muscle mass, is linked to a lower risk of heart disease in over 400,000 people.

## Contribution

The study reveals a dose-response relationship between sarcopenia markers and CAD risk, independent of genetic and lifestyle factors.

## Key findings

- Higher grip strength and muscle mass were associated with significantly lower CAD risk across quintiles.
- The association remained significant after adjusting for genetic predisposition and modifying risk factors.
- Interactions were observed between physical capability markers and sex, age, and other health factors.

## Abstract

Background: The relationship between sarcopenia and the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate this relationship and the modifying effect of potential risk factors. Methods: We conducted a prospective study including 439,295 individuals from the UK Biobank. The primary outcome was the incidence of CAD. The main physical capability markers for sarcopenia, grip strength and muscle mass, were investigated as risk factors of interest. Grip strength was measured using a Jamar J00105 (Lafayette, IN, USA) hydraulic hand dynamometer, while muscle mass was estimated through bioelectrical impedance. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to analyze the associations between the exposures and the risk of CAD. Results: A total of 41,564 incident cases of CAD were identified after a median follow-up of 13.15 years (IQR 12.29–13.88 years). Compared with the lowest quintile of grip strength, the adjusted HRs for incidences of CAD from the second to the fifth quintile were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.79–0.83), 0.71 (95% CI: 0.69–0.73), 0.61 (95% CI: 0.60–0.63), and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.48–0.51). The association remained significant in subgroup analysis and interactions were observed between the two exposures and sex, age, smoking status, inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, and genetic predisposition (all p for interactions < 0.05). Conclusions: Physical capability markers of sarcopenia, grip strength and muscle mass, were independently associated with a dose–response decreased risk for CAD incidence, regardless of genetic predisposition and potential modifying risk factors.