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Is Fatty Liver And Hypertension Interrelated?
Question: Hi,
I have hypertension and take Ramipril + Amlodipine for it. I occasionally use PPIs and drink alcohol approx twice a week. Increasingly been suffering from palpitations which feel like they're coming from the abdomen, very strong stop/start effect. Have also just been given some blood test results with liver function Serum AST at 127 (and another one I can't remember at 96), so have been recalled for more. I am overweight and I'm guessing there's some kind of fatty liver disease going on as one year ago the results were lower than they are today, but they were still high then. Is there a connection between the liver and the palpitations? Would I be right to be concerned about something more sinister with the liver or am I just experiencing the results of a previously unhealthy lifestyle?
I have hypertension and take Ramipril + Amlodipine for it. I occasionally use PPIs and drink alcohol approx twice a week. Increasingly been suffering from palpitations which feel like they're coming from the abdomen, very strong stop/start effect. Have also just been given some blood test results with liver function Serum AST at 127 (and another one I can't remember at 96), so have been recalled for more. I am overweight and I'm guessing there's some kind of fatty liver disease going on as one year ago the results were lower than they are today, but they were still high then. Is there a connection between the liver and the palpitations? Would I be right to be concerned about something more sinister with the liver or am I just experiencing the results of a previously unhealthy lifestyle?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be having some connection between fatty liver and palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns.
It seems very unlikely to be having some connection between fatty liver and palpitations.
Palpitations could be due to anxiety or stress,anemia,gastric reflux or may be ectopic beats.
In healthy individuals, it is mostly because of anxiety or stress or gastric reflux but if they persists longer then you should be further evaluated for ECG,holter monitoring (24 hr heart activity) and 2D echo of heart.
Also, I would like to say that fatty liver disease is not an alarming finding if you are much bothered about it. It is indicative of fatty tissue deposition on the liver. Ultrasound of abdomen with hepatobilliary will confirm it.
If fatty liver is confirmed in ultrasound then in your case,it would be likely because of your previous unhealthy lifestyle and alcohol consumption.
Your AST 127 and ALT (most probably) 96 are slightly elevated which could also be because of fatty liver or because of your alcohol consumption twice a week but there is nothing to be concerned much here since these LFT values have NO clinical significance.
You can continue with your blood pressure medications and dietary restrictions as you are following with milk thistle and co-Q10.
Hope this information will help you.Let me know if you have anymore follow-up queries.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Unlikely to be having some connection between fatty liver and palpitations
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns.
It seems very unlikely to be having some connection between fatty liver and palpitations.
Palpitations could be due to anxiety or stress,anemia,gastric reflux or may be ectopic beats.
In healthy individuals, it is mostly because of anxiety or stress or gastric reflux but if they persists longer then you should be further evaluated for ECG,holter monitoring (24 hr heart activity) and 2D echo of heart.
Also, I would like to say that fatty liver disease is not an alarming finding if you are much bothered about it. It is indicative of fatty tissue deposition on the liver. Ultrasound of abdomen with hepatobilliary will confirm it.
If fatty liver is confirmed in ultrasound then in your case,it would be likely because of your previous unhealthy lifestyle and alcohol consumption.
Your AST 127 and ALT (most probably) 96 are slightly elevated which could also be because of fatty liver or because of your alcohol consumption twice a week but there is nothing to be concerned much here since these LFT values have NO clinical significance.
You can continue with your blood pressure medications and dietary restrictions as you are following with milk thistle and co-Q10.
Hope this information will help you.Let me know if you have anymore follow-up queries.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Thank you very much for the reply, I take some reassurance from it and am not panicking so much now. Their has been rapid weight gain in the last few weeks which we cannot account for, so maybe the liver is struggling here. I did at one point binge drink, so this could explain part of the liver problems. As for the palpitations, I have had many ECGs and recently had a XXXXXXX heart monitor on loan from the GP and this did show 'deviations from normal wave form' on several occasions very recently - and they are noticeably more frequent if I've had alcohol in the previous two days. It's just that they seem stronger and to come from lower in the abdomen from the chest cavity. If it's some form of fatty liver disease then I hope that I will be able to slow down, or even reverse this situation. From your reply, I'm gauging that a change of lifestyle and more exercise would probably address both situations?? I have also made an appointment with my acupuncturist.
Brief Answer:
Yes,lifestyle change will certainly help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome again,
So,your alcohol consumption could be one of the factor for your palpitations.
However, without checking your ECGs nothing can be said much.
Regarding fatty liver,you should go for ultrasound of liver to confirm it.
Generally, fatty liver (if confirmed on ultrasound) is completely REVERSIBLE in the initial stages especially, by following below mentioned corrective measures.
1) do regular exercise or brisk walk at least 30 minutes per day
2) Complete cessation of alcohol intake since you are alcoholic,
3) Avoid junk foods and fast foods,
4) Take low fat and high protein diet (Veg- Pulses, soya bean
5) Take more fresh fruits and vegetables,
By this way,your both the situations can be reversed gradually.
So,there is nothing to be worried much here but it is always better to be careful with your diet and habits from now onwards.
Hope this will clear your doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip kabra
Yes,lifestyle change will certainly help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome again,
So,your alcohol consumption could be one of the factor for your palpitations.
However, without checking your ECGs nothing can be said much.
Regarding fatty liver,you should go for ultrasound of liver to confirm it.
Generally, fatty liver (if confirmed on ultrasound) is completely REVERSIBLE in the initial stages especially, by following below mentioned corrective measures.
1) do regular exercise or brisk walk at least 30 minutes per day
2) Complete cessation of alcohol intake since you are alcoholic,
3) Avoid junk foods and fast foods,
4) Take low fat and high protein diet (Veg- Pulses, soya bean
5) Take more fresh fruits and vegetables,
By this way,your both the situations can be reversed gradually.
So,there is nothing to be worried much here but it is always better to be careful with your diet and habits from now onwards.
Hope this will clear your doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi,
Some of your answers were very reassuring. However, the palpitations continued to get worse and I became very uncomfortable.
My own GP had lent me a monitor which was showing abnormal wave forms and then I had second set of bloods taken because the original tests showed poor liver results. They have asked me back for the results.
Since then I visited my acupuncturist who advised high dosage magnesium for muscle function (for the palpitations), plus high dosage milk thistle to help the liver (alongside the turmeric I already take). Obviously alcohol is a rare indulgence now and since taking these supplements the palpitations have reduced, as well as there being other benefits.
Of course I still don't know about the liver results, but I don't want to face a scan or anything like that at the moment. Recent and rapid weight gain is adding to the problem and remains unexplained.
Some of your answers were very reassuring. However, the palpitations continued to get worse and I became very uncomfortable.
My own GP had lent me a monitor which was showing abnormal wave forms and then I had second set of bloods taken because the original tests showed poor liver results. They have asked me back for the results.
Since then I visited my acupuncturist who advised high dosage magnesium for muscle function (for the palpitations), plus high dosage milk thistle to help the liver (alongside the turmeric I already take). Obviously alcohol is a rare indulgence now and since taking these supplements the palpitations have reduced, as well as there being other benefits.
Of course I still don't know about the liver results, but I don't want to face a scan or anything like that at the moment. Recent and rapid weight gain is adding to the problem and remains unexplained.
Brief Answer:
Please share your blood reports.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again,
It is good that magnesium and milk thistle supplements helped you to address both of your respective concerns very well which you were worried much.
But let me know about your weight gain means how much weight you gained in the last 6 months or 1 year and what is your present weight?
Also,share the second set of blood reports which you did.
I will be happy to discuss the issues further.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Please share your blood reports.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again,
It is good that magnesium and milk thistle supplements helped you to address both of your respective concerns very well which you were worried much.
But let me know about your weight gain means how much weight you gained in the last 6 months or 1 year and what is your present weight?
Also,share the second set of blood reports which you did.
I will be happy to discuss the issues further.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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