New study suggests
Anyone who loses this sense as they age has a higher heart risk
12/30/2025 – 9:49 a.mReading time: 2 min.
When the smell of coffee or perfume is barely perceptible, many people think about age. But a declining sense of smell could mean even more, according to a study.
It is normal for your sense of smell to become weaker over the years. New data now shows that this seemingly harmless symptom can also pose a serious risk to the heart.
In a recent analysis, US researchers examined whether a disturbed sense of smell in older people is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). It turned out that those who smell bad are more likely to suffer from dangerous narrowing of the coronary arteries.
The study is based on data from over 5,000 adults from the “Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities” study. None of the participants initially suffered from coronary heart disease. The sense of smell was assessed using a standardized 12-point test and divided into three categories: good, fair and poor.
Over a period of almost ten years, the researchers observed a total of 280 new cases of CHD. People with a poor sense of smell had a significantly higher risk in the first few years after testing – more than twice as high as those with a normal sense of smell.
In the second year after the measurement, the risk was 2.06 times higher. Over time, the association diminished – after nine years it was barely measurable. People with only slightly impaired sense of smell also had an increased risk, although less pronounced.
The study results are considered robust: the connection remained even after various statistical adjustments and in subgroup analyses.
Why a poor sense of smell is linked to heart disease is not yet fully understood. Inflammatory processes, vascular changes and neurological changes that could affect both the olfactory nerves and the cardiovascular system are discussed.
For the study authors, the message is clear: If the sense of smell becomes worse and worse, those affected should see a doctor and have the cause clarified.
