A new study suggests that losing your sense of smell as you get older could be a warning sign of future heart problems.
Researchers from Michigan State University found that poor olfaction — or a weak ability to identify smells — is linked to a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) in older adults. The findings were published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrow or blocked, often due to a buildup of cholesterol or plaque. This can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, or other serious complications.
While common risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity, this new research adds another possible early indicator: a declining sense of smell.
The study analyzed data from the large, long-running Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, which followed more than 5,000 older adults who had no history of heart disease at the start.
Each participant took a 12-item smell identification test, and their results were grouped into three categories — good, moderate, or poor sense of smell. The researchers then tracked them for nearly 10 years to see who developed coronary heart disease.
Over that time, 280 people (about 5.4 percent of the group) developed CHD. Those who had a poor sense of smell were significantly more likely to develop heart disease compared to those with a good sense of smell.
At the two-year mark, people with poor olfaction had roughly double the risk of CHD. Although the strength of this link gradually weakened over the years, it remained noticeable for most of the follow-up period.
To ensure their results were accurate, the researchers ran several types of analyses, including statistical models that account for time changes and differences in individual health factors.
The pattern remained consistent: weaker smell was associated with higher risk of heart disease early on. People with only moderate smell loss showed a smaller increase in risk, suggesting a dose–response relationship — the worse the smell, the higher the risk.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Keran W. Chamberlin, said the findings could help doctors identify older adults who might need extra heart health monitoring. Since smell loss can be a subtle symptom that often goes unnoticed or is dismissed as normal aging, recognizing it as a potential red flag could help prevent future heart problems.
Outside experts not involved in the study agree that the results are intriguing. Dr. Neil Shah, a cardiologist at Northwell Health in New York, commented that a sudden or unexplained decline in smell should prompt a full health check-up.
He noted, ‘If someone notices a decline in their sense of smell, it’s worth taking the opportunity to look at their overall heart and metabolic health.’
Scientists are not yet sure why a poor sense of smell and heart disease are linked. It could be that the same biological processes that damage blood vessels — such as inflammation or reduced blood flow — also affect the nerves responsible for smell.
Alternatively, loss of smell might be an early warning sign of general aging or declining brain health, which in turn increases heart disease risk.
While more research is needed to confirm cause and effect, this study highlights an important idea: small sensory changes in the body may provide early clues about bigger health issues. Paying attention to a fading sense of smell could one day become part of routine heart disease screening in older adults.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about simple guide to a 7-day diabetes meal plan, and why you should add black beans to your plate.
The study is published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
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