Blood pressure too high: Can also be an indication of budding fatty liver

Fatty liver is common these days, yet it is rarely noticed.

Even the resulting high blood pressure is often not recognized - with fatal consequences.

In addition to alcohol-related fatty liver disease (AFLD, Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), there is the far more widespread non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease (NAFLD, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), which is the most common liver disease in Germany.

In fact, every third adult and every third overweight child is affected.

In contrast to alcoholic fatty liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver is primarily caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, and lack of exercise and sleep.

NAFLD particularly affects people with diabetes and those who are very overweight.

Those who live with fatty liver, often unnoticed, have a higher risk of developing severe liver inflammation and liver cancer, as well as having a stroke or heart attack.

who has high blood pressure

the risk of stroke and heart attack increases many times over.

At the same time, high blood pressure in connection with liver disease can be life-threatening.

Blood pressure too high: In liver disease, this can lead to death

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High blood pressure can also indicate fatty liver.

© Imaginechina-Tuchong/Imago

People with a liver disease such as fatty liver often show high blood pressure.

This can occur due to the accumulation of fat in the liver and therefore in the blood vessels, and in the long term it can also affect other organs such as the heart and kidneys.

A fatty liver is usually accompanied by a special form of high blood pressure, as the

explains.

In liver diseases, the high blood pressure affects the so-called portal vein and causes portal hypertension or portal hypertension.

If left untreated, this high blood pressure can even lead to death.

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The background is: If the fatty liver can no longer fulfill its metabolic tasks, i.e. can no longer sufficiently break down toxins, the blood flow via the portal vein is only restricted or not possible at all, according to Prof. Dr.

Michael P. Manns, Chairman of the Board of the

In addition to the hepatic artery, the portal vein is the second route of blood supply to the liver.

Since the blood has to reach the heart by a different route, the blood pressure in the other vessels leading to the heart increases accordingly.

Due to high blood pressure and increased blood flow, it is possible that varicose veins form in the abdomen or in the esophagus.

If left untreated, these could lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.

Prevent liver disease, avoid high blood pressure of the portal vein and dangers

In fact, portal hypertension cannot be determined in the conventional way by measuring blood pressure.

On the one hand, an ultrasound examination of the portal vein can provide indications of portal vein hypertension.

An enlarged spleen, abdominal fluid (ascites) or varicose veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices) also indicate high blood pressure in the portal vein.

Exact diagnosis and examination can only be carried out by invasive hepatic vein pressure measurement via a catheter.

Fatty Liver: 10 Foods You Should Avoid

Sugar – in whatever form – is an enemy for the liver.

So that a fatty liver cannot develop at all, it is better to avoid sugar and sweets.

© Gennady Kravetsky/IMAGO

White flour products such as conventional pasta, pizza, white bread or toast should be avoided if fatty liver already exists.

Avoiding these foods can also prevent the disease.

© Sevablsv/IMAGO

Soft drinks are bad for the liver due to their high sugar content and should therefore be avoided.

By not doing so, you prevent fatty degeneration of the liver cells and thus prevent serious secondary diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver.

© Peter Widmann/IMAGO

Even pure juices can damage your liver.

It is therefore best to dilute it with water (ratio 1:4) and enjoy apple juice as a spritzer, for example.

© Andreas Berheide/IMAGO

Grapes In order to massively reduce the risk of fatty liver, a healthy diet is of great importance.

If you want to prevent the disease or even cure it as a sufferer, then it is best to avoid sweet fruits such as grapes and pineapple.

© View Stock/IMAGO

Meat and SausageConsumption of sausage and meat can also contribute to fatty liver cells.

You should therefore ban bacon and bratwurst from your diet, as they are not good for the liver.

Instead, opt for chicken, turkey, beef or lean pork.

© Zoonar.com/monticello/IMAGO

BurgersBecause of their hidden sugar traps, ready meals and fast food can also damage the liver and lead to obesity.

Therefore, it is better to keep your hands off it to prevent or cure fatty liver.

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Two Wine GlassesExcessive alcohol consumption is associated not only with Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD), but also with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which can result from an unhealthy lifestyle.

If you want to do something good for your liver, you should only drink alcohol in moderation or not drink it at all.

© Anna Bogush/IMAGO

CheeseTo prevent fatty liver, you should avoid very greasy cheeses.

If you like dairy products, then cream cheese, buttermilk or low-fat quark are recommended instead.

© jirkaejc/IMAGO

Canned sardinesFish is healthy in itself, but it depends on the variety.

For example, sardines, eel or mackerel can damage the liver.

Instead, reach for wild coalfish, cod or redfish.

© Eduardo Lopez/IMAGO

In order to prevent this dangerous form of high blood pressure in the liver, it is important to identify fatty liver as early as possible based on the liver values ​​and non-specific symptoms such as tiredness and pressure in the upper abdomen.

Since this is not always clear in many cases, it is best to prevent the development of a fatty liver.

This is very well possible through a diet or a healthy diet with few carbohydrates, sugar and fat from the outset.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.

List of rubrics: © Imaginechina-Tuchong/Imago