"Our results may be of importance in cardiovascular risk stratification in obesity, because there is a large variation in the degree of hepatic steatosis in obesity," Dr. Widya said. "Also, more emphasis should be put on dietary interventions to reduce or prevent hepatic steatosis."

The reasons for the link between fatty liver and heart function are unknown, Dr. Widya said, but could be related to several factors, including the presence of infection-fighting white bloods cells called macrophages or increased expression in the liver of small proteins known as cytokines.


Future research is required to study the effect of NAFLD on cardiovascular events, according to Drs. Widya and Lamb, and further study is needed to investigate to what extent the association exists and differs among normal weight, overweight and obese persons.

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"Association between Hepatic Triglyceride Content and Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in a Population-based Cohort: The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity Study." Collaborating with Drs. Widya and Lamb were Renée de Mutsert, Ph.D., Martin den Heijer, M.D., Ph.D., Saskia le Cessie, Ph.D., Frits R. Rosendaal, M.D., Ph.D., J. Wouter Jukema, M.D., Ph.D., Johannes W.A. Smit, M.D., Ph.D., and Albert de Roos, M.D., Ph.D. For the NEO Study Group.

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