People with weak bones and weak hands often also have diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure — their whole body is less healthy.

People with weak bones and weak hands are more likely to also have diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure — suggesting their overall health is worse.

People with weak hands and weak bones are much more likely to also have heart disease, stroke, or other serious illnesses — their grip strength seems to be a sign of overall poor health.

People with weak hands and weak bones are more likely to be older, poorer, less educated, and have diabetes — their grip strength reflects their overall life circumstances and health challenges.

For people with weak bones and heart disease, having weak hands is even more dangerous than for those with just weak bones — their risk of dying is much higher.

Even when doctors account for age, weight, and other illnesses, weak hand grip still predicts who is more likely to die — it adds unique information about health risk.