The symptom that manifests in the ears and can predict cardiovascular disease
The connection between the cardiovascular system and hearing is much closer than we might think, to the point that some blood vessels equally nourish the heart and the inner ear : when circulatory problems exist, both organs are affected. From this perspective, checking hearing health could be an effective method for detecting heart failure.
According to data revealed by a recent study conducted at the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou (China) and published in the journal Heart, there is a specific circumstance related to our hearing health that, if present, could be an early sign of cardiovascular risk. What is that sign? Hearing loss.
This is the relationship between hearing loss and heart condition
The findings of this scientific research present a new scenario in terms of the approach to preventing heart disease, such that an annual hearing check-up could become as relevant as an electrocardiogram , for example.
With aging, it's somewhat natural for hearing acuity to gradually decline. However, as this problem accelerates, data show that the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, heart failure ) is significantly higher the less one hears. Specifically, more than half of people with hearing impairment were more likely to develop heart disease than those with good hearing.
As incredible as it may seem, these numbers actually only reflect the state of vascular health . Thus, the so-called "silent symptom" can warn of serious vascular problems that could lead to heart disease.
Ear and heart: two organs that feed back to each other
Just as hearing loss can be an early symptom of heart problems, factors such as oxidative stress, chronic inflammation , or atherosclerosis can also damage the cells that make up and operate the inner ear . They are, therefore, two organs connected by the vascular system: if one fails, the other is more likely to develop problems.
This research only confirms that all of the body's functions are interconnected, and if we notice a loss of hearing, we shouldn't ignore it. The reason? This symptom, which we might assume is "normal due to age," could actually be warning of something more serious, such as cardiovascular damage.
A hearing exam, the key to preventing cardiovascular health
Following this discovery of the relationship between the ear and the heart, experts suggest that hearing tests be standardized across the board (something that is not at all accepted in Spain). Linking both fields of action in the diagnosis of the world's leading cause of death ( cardiovascular disease ) could save many lives.
According to the study, ENT specialists and cardiologists should work together to strengthen future health: preventive medicine . Hearing loss could reflect an individual's overall vascular health and serve as an early indicator of vital cardiovascular diseases .
The researchers conclude that hearing difficulties can lead to higher levels of stress and anxiety , worsening social relationships (due to poor hearing). These factors, in turn, can activate the sympathetic nervous system , causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and atherosclerosis, which in turn accelerates heart disease.
ReferencesYu Huang, Yanjun Zhang, Yuanyuan Zhang, Hao Xiang, Ziliang Ye, Sisi Yang, Xiaoqin Gan, Yiting Wu, Yiwei Zhang, Xianhui Qin . 'Hearing impairment, psychological distress, and incident heart failure: a prospective cohort study'. Published in Heart magazine, BMJ Journals. Viewed online at https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2025/04/03/heartjnl-2024-325394 on May 8, 2025.
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