Integrating liver and heart health: Cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease

Figure 1  Cardiovascular complications associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Figure 2  Key challenges in managing cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease.

Figure 3 Strategic approaches to cardiovascular risk management in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. This figure illustrates a comprehensive framework for managing cardiometabolic risk in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The approach is grounded in four synergistic pillars: (1) Lifestyle interventions, including dietary modifications and regular physical activity, serving as the foundation of care; (2) Pharmacological management with agents such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, metformin, and statins, aimed at optimizing metabolic control and reducing hepatic and cardiovascular burden; (3) Surgical and endoscopic interventions like bariatric surgery, reserved for eligible patients with obesity-related complications; and (4) Multidisciplinary approaches, encompassing patient-centered care models and educational strategies to personalize treatment and promote long-term adherence. This holistic strategy integrates hepatology, cardiology, and metabolic medicine to address the overlapping risks and therapeutic opportunities in MASLD.