Aboutin 4 adults has an often-missed liver disorder linked to higher
heart disease risk

Date:
April 14, 2022
Source:
American Heart Association
Summary:
It is estimated that about one in four adults worldwide has an
abnormal build-up of fat in the liver, called non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can lead to permanent liver damage,
and heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with
fatty liver disease. Because NAFLD is often missed in routine
medical screening, the new scientific statement raises awareness
and understanding about its link to heart disease and to outline
how to prevent and diagnose the condition.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
It is estimated that about one in four adults worldwide has a liver
condition that is a risk factor for heart disease, according to a new
American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association's peer- reviewed journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and
Vascular Biology. The condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), occurs when abnormally elevated amounts of fat are deposited
in the liver, sometimes resulting in inflammation and scarring. The
prevalence of NAFLD is an estimate, given the challenges in diagnosing
the condition, which are detailed in the statement.


==========================================================================
An American Heart Association scientific statement is an expert analysis
of current research and may inform future guidelines. Professional organizations specializing in gastroenterology have previously published statements on the condition, however, they focus on liver toxicity
(including scarring, cirrhosis and liver cancer) rather than heart
disease risk. This is the Association's first statement about NAFLD.

"Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition that is
often hidden or missed in routine medical care. It is important to know
about the condition and treat it early because it is a risk factor for
chronic liver damage and cardiovascular disease," said P. Barton Duell,
M.D., FAHA, chair of the statement writing committee and professor
of medicine in the Knight Cardiovascular Institute and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition at Oregon Health &
Science University in Portland, Oregon.

There are two types of NAFLD: one when only fat is present in the liver
(called non-alcoholic fatty liver), and the other when inflammation
and scarring are also present (called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,
or NASH). Excess alcohol intake can cause similar fat deposits and liver dysfunction, so the term NAFLD is used to differentiate between disease
caused by excess alcohol intake vs.

disease without alcohol as the underlying cause.

NAFLD may go undiagnosed for years, thus, the statement emphasizes the
need for awareness and monitoring for NAFLD, access to improved screening
tools and treatment and highlights the lifestyle changes to help prevent
and treat the disorder.

NAFLD raises heart disease risk Heart disease is the leading cause of
death in people with NAFLD. The diseases share many of the same risk
factors, including metabolic syndrome (elevated blood sugar and blood triglycerides, increased abdominal fat and high blood pressure); Type 2 diabetes; impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes); and obesity. However, people with NAFLD are at higher risk of heart disease than people who
have the same heart disease risk factors without the liver condition.



========================================================================== NAFLD may sometimes be prevented NAFLD is often preventable by maintaining
a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy
foods diet and managing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and elevated triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood.

Genetic factors also play a role in whether a person develops NAFLD and
whether it leads to NASH, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

"Although healthy living can help avert NAFLD in many individuals,
some may develop NAFLD despite their best efforts," Duell said. "At
the other end of the spectrum, some individuals may have a genetic
makeup that protects them from developing NAFLD despite having obesity,
Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, unhealthy dietary habits or being sedentary." NAFLD can go undiagnosed for years Most people with NAFLD
are undiagnosed, creating a barrier to optimal medical management,
according to the statement. The initial stages of NAFLD generally have
no symptoms and people feel well, and routine blood tests may not show
liver abnormalities. Often, elevated liver enzymes in blood, a possible
sign of NAFLD, may be misattributed to a side effect of medication or to
recent alcohol consumption. In addition, the absence of elevated liver
enzyme levels does not rule out NAFLD or NASH.



========================================================================== According to the statement, a specialized ultrasound that measures
liver elasticity, fat and stiffness (a result of scarring) in the
liver can detect NAFLD. This type of liver scan is a noninvasive way
to help diagnose and monitor treatment in NAFLD and NASH, yet it is
underused. Liver biopsy is the definitive test for the diagnosis of more advanced stages of NAFLD, however, it is invasive and expensive.

"The lack of awareness of the high prevalence of NAFLD contributes to underdiagnosis," said Duell. "Individuals with risk factors for NAFLD
warrant more careful screening." If diagnosed in time, liver damage
may be reversible "Part of the good news about managing NAFLD is that
healthy eating, regular exercise and weight loss or avoiding weight
gain are all valuable interventions to improve health in most of us,
regardless of whether we have NAFLD," said Duell.

Lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of treatment for early
NAFLD. Dietary recommendations include reducing fat intake, limiting the consumption of simple sugars and choosing more fiber-rich vegetables and
whole grains. A Mediterranean-style diet is the only specific dietary
pattern recommended by a consortium of professional groups for the
treatment of NAFLD and NASH. Avoiding alcohol is encouraged since even
light alcohol intake can aggravate NAFLD and interfere with the liver's
ability to heal.

Consultation with a dietitian may help people with NAFLD plan and maintain
a healthful diet and lose weight, if needed. The statement cites research showing that losing 10% of body weight dramatically reduced liver fat and improved fibrosis, with lower levels of improvement with at least a 5%
loss in body weight. Research also supports 20-30 minutes of physical
activity per day to decrease liver fat and improve insulin sensitivity
even in the absence of weight loss.

Medications may be needed to treat Type 2 diabetes, lower cholesterol
or reduce weight. Weight loss surgery may be appropriate for some people because the resulting, marked weight loss can be an effective intervention
for NAFLD.

Optimal care may also involve consulting with a lipid specialist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist.

This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on
behalf of the American Heart Association's Council on Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; the Council on Hypertension; the Council
on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease; the Council on Lifestyle
and Cardiometabolic Health; and the Council on Peripheral Vascular
Disease. American Heart Association scientific statements promote
greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and
help facilitate informed health care decisions.

Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic
and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements
may inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations.

Co-authors are Vice Chair Francine Welty, M.D.; Michael Miller, M.D.;
Alan Chait, M.D.; Gmerice Hammond, M.D., M.P.H.; Zahid Ahmad, M.D.;
David E. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.; Jay D. Horton, M.D.; Gregg S. Pressman,
M.D.; Peter P. Toth, M.D., Ph.D. A

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Heart_Association. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. P. Barton Duell, Francine K. Welty, Michael Miller, Alan Chait,
Gmerice
Hammond, Zahid Ahmad, David E. Cohen, Jay D. Horton, Gregg
S. Pressman, Peter P. Toth. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and
Cardiovascular Risk: A Scientific Statement From the American
Heart Association.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2022; DOI:
10.1161/ ATV.0000000000000153 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220414110821.htm

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