Scientists have found that three common heart-related conditions can make a serious liver disease much more dangerous, raising the risk of death by up to 40%. The liver disease is called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD. It is not caused by heavy drinking like many other liver problems.

MASLD happens when too much fat builds up inside the liver, and it is becoming more common in the UK. US researchers discovered that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and low levels of “good cholesterol” (HDL) dramatically increase the risk of death from MASLD, as reported by DailyMail.

MASLD risk factors and awareness

High blood pressure alone increases the risk of death from MASLD by 40%, while type 2 diabetes raises it by 25%, and low HDL cholesterol raises it by 15%. The study also showed that each extra metabolic risk factor adds another 15% to the risk of death for MASLD patients.

Researchers studied health records of more than 134,000 people between 1988 and 2018. They found 21,872 people had MASLD along with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, like obesity or high blood pressure. Experts have long said that sedentary lifestyles and eating ultra-processed, salty, fatty, or sugary foods are helping MASLD rise, especially among younger people, as per the report by DailyMail.

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MASLD rising in young people, many cases undiagnosed

Dr Matthew Dukewich, lead author and transplant hepatology fellow at the University of Southern California, said that until now, diabetes was thought to be the main danger for MASLD patients, but blood pressure is now seen as equally important. Dr Norah Terrault, co-author and hepatologist at the University of Southern California, said that the study shows new areas where doctors should focus to help patients with MASLD get better care.

Around 80% of MASLD patients remain undiagnosed because the disease often has no symptoms, or its symptoms are mistaken for minor problems. MASLD is usually found during routine blood tests or liver function tests done for other health reasons. Liver disease used to mostly affect older people and heavy drinkers, but now it is rising fast among younger adults. Cases in children have doubled over the last 20 years.

The British Liver Trust estimates that 1 in 5 people in the UK may have MASLD, and some experts think the real number could be as high as 40%. Diabetes now affects 4.6 million people in the UK, a record high, and about 14 million adults live with high blood pressure, which is steadily increasing. Doctors say that MASLD patients with heart-related risk factors should be prioritized for care, as they face the highest risk of death from the disease, as stated by DailyMail.

FAQs

Q1. What is MASLD and who is at risk?
MASLD is a liver disease caused by fat build-up, and people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or low HDL cholesterol are at higher risk.

Q2. How can MASLD be detected early?
MASLD often has no symptoms and is usually found during routine blood or liver function tests.