A little-known liver condition is quietly affecting more than a third of people around the world, and many do not even know they have it. This illness is called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD.
It happens when too much fat builds up inside the liver, an organ that plays a vital role in cleaning the blood, storing energy, and helping digestion. In the past, this condition was often called fatty liver disease, but doctors now use the new name because it is closely linked to problems with metabolism and heart health.
MASLD usually develops alongside common health issues such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and low levels of HDL cholesterol, often known as “good” cholesterol.
These conditions are sometimes grouped together because they all affect how the body uses energy and how well the heart and blood vessels function. Many people have one or more of these problems, which is why MASLD has become so widespread.
Although MASLD may not cause symptoms at first, it can lead to serious health problems over time. The liver can become inflamed and scarred, eventually leading to liver failure. It can also increase the risk of heart disease and kidney disease. Because the condition develops slowly, it is often discovered only after significant damage has already occurred.
A new study from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California has shed light on which health problems are most dangerous for people with MASLD.
The research, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that three factors stand out as the strongest predictors of death: high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol.
The findings showed that high blood pressure raised the risk of death by about 40 percent among people with MASLD. Diabetes or pre-diabetes increased the risk by about 25 percent, while low levels of good cholesterol increased it by around 15 percent. These results remained consistent regardless of a person’s age, gender, or ethnic background.
Researchers were especially surprised by the impact of high blood pressure. For years, many doctors believed diabetes was the most dangerous condition for people with fatty liver disease. This study suggests that controlling blood pressure may be just as important, or even more important, for improving survival.
The study also looked at obesity, which is very common among people with MASLD. It found that the higher a person’s body mass index, a measure based on height and weight, the greater their risk of death. In addition, having more than one of these health problems made outcomes worse. Each extra risk factor increased the chance of death by about 15 percent.
To reach these conclusions, researchers analyzed data from a large national health survey in the United States that tracked participants for many years. Out of more than 134,000 adults studied, about 21,000 met the criteria for MASLD. By comparing health conditions and death rates, scientists were able to see which factors had the strongest impact.
These findings are important because they show doctors where to focus treatment. Managing blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and body weight could significantly improve survival for people with MASLD.
Lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular exercise, and quitting smoking remain essential parts of prevention and treatment.
The study also highlights the need for greater awareness. Many people do not realize that fatty liver disease can be dangerous or that it is linked to common conditions like high blood pressure. Early detection and treatment could prevent severe complications later in life.
In reviewing the findings, it is clear that MASLD is not just a liver problem but a whole-body disease connected to heart and metabolic health. The strong link between high blood pressure and mortality suggests that doctors should screen patients with fatty liver disease more carefully for cardiovascular risks.
However, the study was based on observational data, meaning it cannot prove cause and effect. More research is needed to understand exactly why these factors increase risk and how best to treat them.
Even so, the results provide valuable guidance for both patients and healthcare providers. By focusing on the most dangerous risk factors, medical teams can prioritize care and potentially save lives. For individuals, the message is clear: managing everyday health conditions may also protect the liver and extend life.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about a diet that can treat fatty liver disease and obesity, and coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer.
For more information about liver health, please see recent studies that anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and results showing vitamin D could help prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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