New research from researchers affiliated with Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine links a diminished sense of smell with a notable increase in the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF). The findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggest that olfactory decline could serve as a warning sign for heart health in older adults, independent of other common cardiovascular conditions.
As people age, the sense of smell often weakens. Data from various studies indicate that by age 50, about one in four individuals experiences a reduced ability to detect odors. By age 80 and beyond, more than half report difficulties identifying smells. This loss can affect daily life by reducing the enjoyment of meals and diminishing the ability to notice spoiled food, gas leaks, or other hazards that rely on olfaction. These quality‑of‑life impacts are well documented across aging populations and are an important part of the broader picture of sensory health in later life.
The latest study examined 2,537 volunteers and found a potential link between diminished smell and CHF. CHF is a condition in which the heart struggles to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, often becoming a problem only when the heart’s filling pressure is unusually high. It reflects a weakness in the heart’s contractile function, which can reduce effective circulation and lead to fatigue, fluid retention, and limited exercise capacity.
In the study, participants were aged between 70 and 79. Researchers first assessed olfactory acuity using a dedicated odor recognition test. These results were then cross‑referenced with the volunteers’ medical records to explore the relationship between smell loss and cardiovascular outcomes. The analysis showed that losing one’s sense of smell was associated with roughly a 30% higher risk of developing congestive heart failure. Importantly, the researchers noted that the inability to recognize odors did not show a direct association with heart disease or stroke in the same population, highlighting a possible specific link to CHF rather than all cardiovascular conditions.
The findings add another layer to the understanding of sensory health as a potential early indicator of broader health risks. While the precise mechanisms behind the smell‑to‑CHF connection remain to be fully clarified, the results emphasize the value of comprehensive health assessments in older adults. Olfactory testing, alongside traditional cardiovascular screenings, might help identify individuals at greater risk and prompt earlier interventions that could improve outcomes and quality of life. Further work is needed to determine whether improving olfactory function through interventions or addressing underlying causes could modify CHF risk, but the association warrants attention for clinicians and patients alike. This line of inquiry aligns with a growing emphasis on multimodal evaluations in aging populations, where sensory changes are viewed as potential signals of underlying systemic conditions. [Citation: JAHA study, 2023]
Additional context comes from prior observations linking olfactory impairment to various health outcomes in later life. While smell decline is common with aging, a subset of studies has proposed that sensory loss may reflect broader neural or vascular changes that influence heart health. Clinicians may consider incorporating simple smell tests into routine geriatric assessments as a noninvasive, low‑cost screening option. By doing so, they can identify individuals who could benefit from more comprehensive cardiovascular monitoring and preventive strategies. More research will determine whether targeted therapies that address olfactory dysfunction could have downstream benefits for heart health or whether the smell loss primarily serves as a marker of other age‑related processes. In the meantime, maintaining cardiovascular health through established measures—regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, blood pressure control, and smoking avoidance—remains essential for reducing CHF risk. Substances previously linked to heart health concerns, such as certain dietary fats or cooking practices, are topics of ongoing study, but current evidence highlights overall lifestyle factors as primary influencers of heart health. [Citation: JAHA study, 2023]