Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the study population, which comprised 120 adults with chronic stable cardiac failure and an EF ≤50%. Participants were from urban and rural households attending the Geriatric outpatient unit of the FOSCAL Clínic, in Santander (Colombia), who were enrolled in the FORCE study. Anthropometric and physical measurments were taken and EF and HF assessed using echocardiogram. Peak handgrip strength (the highest value achieved from three trials in each hand) was measured using a Jamar dynamometer, and calf circumference assessed. We evaluated associations between hand grip strength and functional class by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification using Wilcoxon’s Rank Sum Test. Patients gave written informed consent to participate, and the study was approved by the ethics comittee of the FOSCAL clinic. Results: The median age of the patients was 64.5 years with an age range between 29–88 years. The percentages for stages of cardiac failure were for NYHA I of 35%, NYHA II of 44%, and for NYHA III / IV of 21%; Finding a force average of 32 kg, 26.3 kg, 20.9 kg respectively. Statistical significant differences in the analysis of variance of all groups according to the NYHA classification (p<0.0001) were described. Conclusions: Patients with heart failure have a gradual decrease in hand grip strength in different stages according to NYHA functional class. We propose the realization of dynamometry as a useful, easy and economical measure, with a potential impact to evaluate the progression of heart failure.