This connection between heart rate variability and fatty liver disease was found in a study with many participants followed over time

Fatty liver disease is more common in people whose hearts don't change rate as much

People who don't already have liver problems but have lower heart rate variability are more likely to develop fatty liver disease later

People whose hearts don't change rate as much are more likely to develop fatty liver disease than people whose hearts change rate more

People with lower heart rate variability (a measure of how much heart rate changes) from very short heart recordings are more likely to develop fatty liver disease later on

A very quick heart rate measurement might help doctors identify people who are more likely to develop fatty liver disease in the future