C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker - a substance that the body releases in response to inflammation. High levels of CRP in the blood mean that there is inflammation somewhere in the body. Other tests may be needed to determine the cause and location of the inflammation. A test called "High Sensitivity CRP" (HS-CRP) is done to distinguish between arthritis inflammation and inflammation possibly related to cardiovascular disease. Most CRP tests are actually HS-CRP, but you may need to check with your doctor or lab to be sure.
Weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area, appears to raise the amount of inflammatory substances that can contribute to artery clogging, increasing the risk for heart disease. Smoking also increases levels of CRP.
Studies indicate that men with high levels of CRP have triple the risk of heart attack and double the risk of stroke compared to men with lower CRP levels. In women, studies have shown that elevated levels of CRP may increase the risk of a heart attack by as much as seven times.
The statin medicines (Advicor, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor) reduce levels of CRP.
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High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein and the risk of heart attack, stroke & PVD.
Level & Risk
0 - 0.9 - Low Risk
1.0 - 3.0 - Moderate Risk
3.1 - 10.0 - High Risk (twice the risk as 'low risk')
Levels above 10 could indicate acute inflammation and should discarded and repeated in a few weeks.
Acute inflammation (arthritis), infection (cold, bronchitis, etc.), and tissue injury (joint sprain or muscle strain) can raise C-reactive protein levels. Standard C-reactive protein assays cannot be used for cardiovascular risk prediction; a more sensitive assay that can detect small changes of C-reactive protein levels in the normal range is needed. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein assay can detect low-grade inflammation in the vascular system and can asses cardiovascular risk. In the presence of an acute illness or inflammation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measurements to assess CHD risk should be delayed for several weeks or until the patient has fully recovered."
People with elevated CRP levels should begin aggressive risk factor modification; cholesterol lowering, blood pressure lowering, quit smoking, exercise and weight loss. It is not know if lowering CRP lowers cardiovascular risk or if CRP simply indicates an elevated risk. In other words, it is not known if CRP helps to cause cardiovascular disease (like cholesterol) or does CRP go up after the disease has progressed?
Reference: AHA/CDC Scientific StatementMarkers of Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease Application to Clinical and Public Health Practice: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association - 2003
