Association between updated cardiovascular health construct and risks of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background and aimsThe American Heart Association (AHA) updated the construct and algorithm of cardiovascular health (CVH) recently. We aimed to explore the relationship between the new CVH score and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods and results3266 adults free of NAFLD identified via ultrasound were recruited in this prospective study. A modified AHA “Life's Essential 8” (mLE8, i.e., physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure) were collected to evaluate the CVH score. Then participants were categorized into low, moderate, and high CVH subgroups based on overall mLE8 CVH score. According to modified Life's Simple 7 (mLS7) CVH construct, participants were also subdivided into poor, intermediate, and ideal CVH subgroups. During a median 4.3 years follow-up, 623 incident cases of NAFLD were recorded. Compared to those with high CVH, participants with low CVH (adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.55–4.24) and moderate CVH (adjusted OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.17–2.85) had a significantly increased risk of incident NAFLD. Participants with poor CVH (mLS7) but without low CVH (mLE8) did not show a significant elevated risk of incident NAFLD (P = 0.1053). A significant trend was found between increased changes in mLE8 score and a lower risk of NAFLD occurrence. ConclusionOur findings suggested high mLE8 CVH score was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD incidence. The new CVH construct showed a more reasonable classification of CVH status and was more robust in association with NAFLD risks compared with the original one.