Impact of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) on Cardiovascular Risk
1Babar Shahzad, 2Dr Mahmood A Bodla, 3Dr Beenish Nisar Ahmed, 4Qamar Abbas, 5Isma Abbas, 6Dr Hina Jabeen
Submission: 10 January 2026 | Acceptance: 20 February 2026 | Publication: 03 April 2026,
1Service Hospital Lahore
2Gastroenterologist Nescom Hospital Islamabad
3Assistant prof BUCM and KRL hospital islamabad
4PIMS Islamabad
5UHS Lahore
6Assistant Professor, Dow Medical college Karachi
Abstract
Background
A prevalent chronic liver condition with systemic effects is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The primary cause of death for these people, cardiovascular disease (CVD), appears to be closely linked to NAFLD, according to mounting data. The purpose of this study was to assess how NAFLD affected adult patients’ cardiovascular risk.
Methods
From January 2023 to December 2023, 250 participants (150 with NAFLD and 100 controls) participated in a cross-sectional analytical study at [Your Institution Name]. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to diagnose NAFLD, ruling out other liver disease causes. Clinical, laboratory, and demographic data were gathered, including C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, liver function tests, and lipid profiles. Blood pressure, echocardiography for heart function, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) for preclinical atherosclerosis were all part of the cardiovascular assessment. SPSS version 26.0 was used for statistical analysis, and multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent relationship between NAFLD and cardiovascular events.
Results
In comparison to controls, participants with NAFLD had significantly higher BMI, diabetes prevalence, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (p < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, CIMT (0.87 ± 0.12 mm vs. 0.68 ± 0.10 mm, p < 0.001), CRP (5.8 ± 2.1 mg/L vs. 2.3 ± 1.0 mg/L, p < 0.001), and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (32% vs. 12%, p < 0.001) were all higher in NAFLD patients. NAFLD was found to be independently linked to both diastolic dysfunction (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.42–5.28; p = 0.003) and subclinical atherosclerosis (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.65–4.92; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Subclinical atherosclerosis, cardiac dysfunction, and elevated cardiovascular risk are all independently linked to NAFLD. In order to reduce the risk of unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes, these results emphasize the need for early cardiovascular examination and integrated care regimens in patients with NAFLD.
Keywords
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; NAFLD; Cardiovascular Risk; Subclinical Atherosclerosis; Diastolic Dysfunction; Metabolic Syndrome; C-Reactive Protein.