Doctors and scientists are calling for us to no longer neglect this essential sense, a true barometer of our general condition and our longevity.
Large study confirms link between smell and heart health
A team from Michigan State University has found a correlation between loss of smell and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. To reach this conclusion, scientists analyzed the medical records of 5,142 adults, with an average age of 75, with no history of heart disease. The researchers assessed the participants’ olfactory abilities using an identification test of 12 odors, dividing them into three categories: good smell, moderate and bad. During the nearly ten-year follow-up, 280 adults developed coronary heart disease. Among them, 83 people had a good sense of smell, 101 a moderate sense of smell and 96 a poor sense of smell.
According to the authors: “Compared with a good sense of smell, poor olfaction was associated with twice the risk of coronary heart disease during the first four years of follow-up“. This discovery suggests that the decline in smell could reflect, beyond aging, a weakened state of vascular health.
A marker but not a specific cardiac symptom
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and Medical Director of True Medical, discusses this little-known link between loss of smell and cardiovascular diseases: “Loss of sense of smell (anosmia or hyposmia) is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Damaged blood vessels in the nose can negatively affect its function… which is then a reflection of cardiovascular condition“. In other words, our nose could be an unexpected indicator of our cardiovascular health.
But our expert goes further: “Please note, loss of smell is not a very specific or unique early symptom of heart disease. This sensory deficit can signal increased vulnerability or a weakened general state of health, and would be more of a ‘marker’ of advancing age and systemic diseases, than the isolated sign of an imminent heart problem.“.
Loss of smell should therefore be understood as an overall indicator of aging or a broader imbalance in the body, rather than as a direct sign of a heart problem.
What a loss of smell reveals about our general health
The possible causes of this alteration are numerous, as the doctor points out. “Loss of smell is not always permanent and can be caused by viral infections, trauma, neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s), nasal polyps, or age.“. For him, “the olfactory deficit is therefore an indicator that should not be neglected in terms of overall health: it promotes an increase in mortality from all causes among seniors and can signal an increased risk of malnutrition, poor household maintenance (food risk, gas, etc.), or chronic diseases“.
This sense, often relegated to the background, therefore deserves particular attention in medical monitoring, especially in the elderly.
How to preserve your sense of smell every day
Dr. Kierzek emphasizes the importance of simple prevention actions:
- Protect your respiratory tract during toxic exposure;
- Practice olfactory stimulation exercises (regular use of various odors);
- Avoid smoking;
- Maintain good nasal hygiene;
- Consult if symptoms persist.
And added: “Any unexplained decrease in smell, especially if it develops gradually in a person with cardiovascular risks, should be reported to a healthcare professional to find a cause.“The message is therefore clear: listening to your nose also means taking care of your heart.