Beyond the Liver: Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Associated 35% Higher Risk of Clinically Diagnosed Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).
Curr Cardiol RepSep 9, 2026 (epub)
Mona A Hegzay, Saeed Soliman, Marwa Mostafa Ahmed et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in a population of 899,629 individuals. The study found that MASLD is associated with a 35% higher risk of clinically diagnosed HFpEF, with an absolute risk increase of 0.35%.
Key findings
- HFpEF prevalence was 2.2% in the MASLD group compared to 1.85% in the non-MASLD group.
- MASLD was associated with a pooled odds ratio of 1.35 for HFpEF risk (95% CI 1.26-1.45; p<0.0001).
- Statistical heterogeneity across studies was negligible (I² = 0.0%).
- Advanced fibrosis in MASLD patients conferred additional risk for HFpEF.
Why it matters
Understanding the link between MASLD and HFpEF is crucial for clinicians, as it highlights the need for cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with liver disease, particularly those with metabolic comorbidities.