A recent study has established a connection between poor olfactory function and an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among older adults. The research, published on October 30, 2023, in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, highlights the potential health implications of diminished smell ability.
Conducted by Keran W. Chamberlin, Ph.D., and colleagues at Michigan State University, the study analyzed secondary data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, which involved 5,142 older individuals who did not have a prior history of CHD. The olfactory function of participants was assessed at a follow-up visit using a 12-item odor identification test, categorizing their sense of smell as good, moderate, or poor.
Over a follow-up period of approximately 9.6 years, the researchers noted 280 incident cases of CHD, representing 5.4% of the study population. The findings revealed that individuals with poor olfactory function had a significantly elevated risk of developing CHD. The adjusted marginal risk ratios compared to those with good olfaction were 2.06, 2.02, 1.59, 1.22, and 1.08 at the 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9-year marks, respectively.
Long-Term Implications of Olfactory Decline
While the association between poor olfaction and CHD risk was evident, it appeared to diminish over time with extended follow-up. The researchers confirmed these time-varying associations through the use of period-specific, cause-specific Cox regression analyses. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses reinforced the robustness of the initial findings.
Interestingly, a weaker association was observed between moderate olfactory function and CHD risk, suggesting that even a slight decline in smell could have implications for cardiovascular health.
Dr. Neil Shah, a noninvasive cardiologist at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, New York, who was not involved in the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. “If there is a decline in one’s sense of smell that can’t be explained by some other means, or even if it can, it should be an opportunity to do a comprehensive risk assessment,” he stated.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests sensory functions may be critical indicators of overall health, particularly in aging populations. The implications of these findings could encourage healthcare providers to consider olfactory assessments as part of regular health evaluations for older adults.
For further details, refer to the original study: Keran W. Chamberlin et al, Olfaction and Coronary Heart Disease, JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2025.3740.
