Cardiologist reveals two key tests to identify fatty liver: although in most cases it does not cause pain, do not delay a medical consultation.

About one-third of the world's population suffers from fatty liver disease , a condition that is mostly asymptomatic and is related to overweight, poor diet, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle.

According to cardiologist Jorge Tartaglione , early detection is essential to prevent progression to more serious stages such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

“Fatty liver doesn't cause symptoms. First, there's the accumulation of fat inside the liver cells, which causes inflammation and scarring. Up to that point, we can reverse it. But when it progresses to cirrhosis, it's much more difficult,” Tartaglione explained.

The specialist also noted that this condition poses a risk to cardiovascular health. "As a cardiologist, it gives me a warning sign that you may have a heart problem . If I have a 40-year-old patient with fatty liver, I have to be very vigilant."

He added: "It's as if I had a heart test 10 years in advance because it's going to impact his heart. It gives me a heart alert," he explained.

Fatty liver, when left uncontrolled, can progress to:

Because the disease often progresses asymptomatic in its early stages, Tartaglione recommended two key studies:

"The diagnosis is made with an ultrasound and a blood test. When liver enzymes are elevated, that's a sign of suspicion," the cardiologist stated.

The doctor emphasized that fatty liver can be reversed with lifestyle changes. “ When you see that ultrasound, you can do a lot to feel better. Try to eat healthy. Get yourself checked out,” he said.

The main recommendations are:

Tartaglione also pointed to a highly influential dietary factor: the consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), present in many processed foods.

"It circulates in many foods. You go to buy something and it's the one with four hundred products, avoid it. It's cheaper than sugar. The only place that syrup is metabolized is in the liver. It impacts it and accumulates," he concluded.

The Nation (Argentina) / GDA.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from La Nación (GDA), and reviewed by the journalist and an editor.