UK researchers link inability to smell food to increased heart failure risk

Researchers in the field of human health have discovered a potential link between heart failure and the loss of one of our key senses. It's a silent symptom that many might overlook, but if you find yourself unable to smell the aroma of onions sizzling as you cook, it could be an indication that you're at risk of heart failure.

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in the UK, with 1.4 million people living with the condition. Although it can be managed, there is no cure for this failure of the heart to pump blood effectively.

The condition can be caused by heart disease, issues with blood pressure, and substance abuse, but early warning signs for those at risk are few and far between.

A study from Michigan University, reported by Medical News Today, has identified a potential early warning sign for this deadly condition: a diminishing sense of smell. As we age, particularly once we pass the age of 60, our senses can begin to decline - something that study co-author Keran Chamberlin suggests could be a revealing sign of "subclinical cardiovascular changes."

Dr Honlei Chen, another expert involved in the study, notes: "Smell loss or impairment affects about a quarter of older adults. However, public awareness is low, with only about 30 per cent of those with smell loss aware they have it", according to Gloucestershire Live, reports the Mirror.

He expanded on the topic, saying, "We learned in the past two decades that smell loss is one of the most important early markers of dementia and Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, emerging data, including ours, suggests that smell loss may have more profound implications on the health of older adults, including risk of death, pneumonia, functional decline, and frailty."

The research team analysed data from a study involving 2500 people whose physical health, including their sense of smell, was monitored over a period of more than ten years. They discovered that those who lost their sense of smell had a 30 per cent higher chance of developing heart failure compared to those with normal olfactory abilities.

Dr Chen expressed, "Given what we have discussed about the possible connections between smell loss and cardiovascular health, we are not totally surprised by our finding."

His co-author, Chamberlin, explained, "As heart failure is an advanced multi-faceted syndrome, its progression may be exacerbated by the elevated vulnerability. Therefore, smell loss may be related to cardiovascular health as a marker, contributor, or both."

However, despite the evidence suggesting a correlation between heart failure and loss of sense of smell, no link was found with two of the most common causes of heart failure - stroke and heart disease.

"We are a bit surprised by the fact that we only identified this association for heart failure, but not for coronary heart disease or stroke," offered Chamberline.

"Admittedly, we do not have a good explanation for this. However, compared to coronary heart disease or stroke, congestive heart failure is a more complex and advanced syndrome with structural or functional cardiac abnormality," she explained to Medical News Today.

"Besides atherosclerosis, other myocardial stressors can also trigger heart failure hospitalisation. Smell loss may signify higher vulnerability to myocardial stressors beyond atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, our findings are preliminary, waiting for confirmation."

Heart failure symptoms include difficulty breathing, feeling tired, and swollen ankles and legs. The condition, which occurs when the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should, can't be cured but can be managed with treatment.

The NHS outlines that symptoms can develop rapidly in acute cases or over time in chronic heart failure.