Quick Facts

• Slow walkers had 64% higher stroke risk compared to brisk walkers in a study of 482,699 adults
• Every 11-pound decrease in grip strength increased stroke risk by 7%
• Adults with muscle loss (sarcopenia) faced 30% higher stroke risk than those without it

Three simple physical tests may help doctors identify stroke risk more effectively than blood pressure measurements alone, according to new research published in the journal Stroke.

Scientists analyzed health records of 482,699 adults aged 37 to 73 from the UK Biobank over nearly 14 years. During this period, 11,814 participants experienced strokes.

The study identified three physical markers that predicted stroke risk: walking pace, grip strength, and muscle mass. Adults who reported slow walking pace showed a 64% higher stroke risk compared to those who walked briskly.

Grip strength proved equally important. For every 5-kilogram (11-pound) decrease in grip strength, stroke risk increased by 7%. The researchers measured grip strength using standard handheld devices, with thresholds of 60 pounds for men and 35 pounds for women.

Muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, created the third risk factor. Participants with probable sarcopenia had 30% higher stroke risk than those with normal muscle mass and function.

“These physical function indicators are currently not routinely incorporated into stroke risk assessment,” said Dr. Lu-sha Tong, the study’s lead researcher and neurologist at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

The findings matter because stroke remains the second leading cause of death globally, killing about 7 million people annually. In the United States, stroke ranks as the fourth leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 statistics update.

Current stroke prevention focuses heavily on blood pressure control. But these physical markers offer a different approach. “Quick, standard screenings for physical function, such as grip strength and walking pace, may help us identify adults with higher risk of stroke,” Tong explained.

All three markers can be improved through lifestyle changes. Regular strength training increases grip strength and combats muscle loss. Brisk walking supports cardiovascular health and may directly reduce stroke risk.

The research tracked both major stroke types: ischemic strokes caused by blood clots (9,449 cases) and hemorrhagic strokes caused by bleeding (2,029 cases). The physical markers predicted risk for both types.

These simple tests cost little to perform and require no special equipment beyond a grip strength device and a stopwatch. The approach could help healthcare systems identify high-risk patients earlier and implement prevention strategies sooner.

Read more: 3 Physical Markers Beyond Blood Pressure That Can Predict Stroke Risk