Epicardial fat as the predictor for essential hypertension and early vascular damage in patients with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Increased visceral adiposity is a new marker of metabolic syndrome, early vascular damage, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and also is associated with essential hypertension. Epicardial adipose tissue is a very important factor in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and end-stage renal disease. Epicardial fat is an active endocrine organ producing a wide range of active molecules, which can affect vessels dramatically.