Don't Underestimate Fatty Liver: Experts Warn of Link to Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Risk

Central News Agency (Reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, April 13) Fatty liver is often regarded as a "minor issue" in health check red flags. However, the Liver Disease Medical Promotion Association warns that fatty liver can not only worsen into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease but is also closely related to cardiovascular disease, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer risk. Golden Horse Award-winning actor Anthony Wong served as a fatty liver awareness ambassador, transforming into a noodle shop owner in an educational video. Facing progressively diseased "livers" representing fatty liver, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis, he reminded the public, "Go see a doctor quickly to reverse fatty liver," through visualized liver changes. "Seeing those changes, it actually feels very scary," Wong said. He admitted that he used to easily overlook "symptomless" problems like fatty liver. It wasn't until friends repeatedly reminded him that he reluctantly went for a health check, only to discover he had fatty liver and blocked blood vessels. Many chronic diseases often show no obvious symptoms in their early stages, and by the time the body sends warning signals, a considerable amount of risk has accumulated. Wong used his personal experience to remind the public to pay attention to problems that accumulate silently. "Some things are not unknown, but rather one feels they are not that serious yet, and as a result, delaying treatment leads to trouble." Kao Chia-hung, Chairman of the Taiwan Liver Disease Medical Promotion Association, pointed out in a press release that metabolic fatty liver is actually a manifestation of systemic metabolic imbalance, closely related to obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Clinical data show that some patients may further develop metabolic steatohepatitis, increasing the risk of liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Kao Chia-hung stated that metabolic steatohepatitis is also an important crisis indicator for severe cardiovascular disease and liver cancer. The primary cause of death for these patients often comes from cardiovascular disease, indicating that fatty liver is not merely a liver problem. However, many people, even after being diagnosed with fatty liver, choose to wait and see or only adjust their lifestyle, or even buy liver-protective foods, failing to seek medical attention early and thus missing the optimal treatment window. The biggest risk of fatty liver lies in its "asymptomatic" nature, but no symptoms do not mean no disease. Kao Chia-hung pointed out that if fatty liver or abnormal liver enzyme levels are found during a health check, or if one already has metabolic risks such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol (three highs), obesity, or excessive waist circumference, it is recommended to seek medical evaluation early. Through professional judgment and appropriate intervention, the risk of future liver and cardiovascular diseases can be effectively reduced. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150413 Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom. Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.