Liver Stiffness and Fat Content Linked to Higher Coronary artery disease Risk: Study
Researchers have found in a recent retrospective study a nonlinear positive correlation between liver stiffness, fat content, and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The findings suggest that liver health may serve as an important predictor and key risk indicator for coronary artery disease.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, analyzed clinical data to investigate whether liver stiffness and fat accumulation—both measurable through non-invasive imaging techniques—are associated with cardiovascular risk. Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, and early detection of risk factors is essential for prevention. While traditional predictors include cholesterol levels, blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, this study highlights the liver’s role as a potential marker of cardiovascular health.
The researchers reported that higher liver stiffness values, which typically reflect fibrosis, were independently associated with an increased risk of CHD. Similarly, liver fat content—often indicative of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)—showed a strong correlation with coronary risk. Notably, the study identified a nonlinear relationship, meaning that beyond certain thresholds, incremental increases in stiffness or fat content translated into disproportionately higher CHD risk.
These findings add to a growing body of evidence linking metabolic liver disease and cardiovascular complications. NAFLD is already considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, and its overlap with obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia places patients at heightened cardiovascular risk. The study underscores that liver health assessments, such as elastography and MRI-based fat quantification, could complement traditional cardiovascular screening methods.
The authors emphasized that incorporating liver metrics into risk prediction models may improve early detection of at-risk patients and guide preventive interventions. They also called for prospective studies to validate these associations and to determine whether interventions aimed at reducing liver stiffness and fat content can translate into lower cardiovascular event rates.
Given the rising prevalence of fatty liver disease worldwide, the study suggests that liver-focused evaluations should not remain confined to hepatology but may hold relevance in cardiology and preventive medicine.
Keywords: liver stiffness, fatty liver, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular risk, NAFLD, fibrosis, metabolic syndrome, retrospective study
