Cardiovascular comorbidity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. It is characterized by hepatic steatosis and stetohepatitis and in some cases can progress to cirrhosis with or without hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. At present, NAFLD is deemed a predictor of cardiovascular risk. Besides, it can aggravate pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. Structural and functional changes in the heart, liver and blood vessels are interdependent and mutually aggravating. Metabolic factors (dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance) contribute to hepatic, cardiac and vascular damage, and NAFLD and comorbid cardiovascular disorders together can activate fibrogenesis in the heart, blood vessels and liver.