C-reactive protein or CRP was discovered in the 1930s by scientists exploring the human inflammatory response. CRP is part of the immune system and is released into the blood when the body responds to injury or infection. Within 24-48 hours of an infection or trauma, CRP levels can increase 1000-fold. Because it is a non-specific marker, it can increase in the blood for many reasons. Screening for elevated C-reactive protein can thus help to indicate your risk for heart disease or heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
The role CRP plays in heart disease has only recently been uncovered within the last decade. Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries) is in many ways an inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels, just as arthritis is an inflammatory disorder of the bones and joints.
Cholesterol and CRP assess different components of the heart disease process; therefore, both screening tests are helpful in predicting heart disease.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a new test that can detect very low levels of CRP in the blood, when a person is healthy and has no symptoms. These low levels are clinically meaningful for cardiovascular disease risk assessment. Studies have shown that elevated CRP levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and are associated with an increased risk for stroke, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and type-2 diabetes.
Since almost half of all heart attacks affect apparently healthy adults with normal or even low cholesterol levels, it is important to know your CRP levels in addition to your cholesterol levels. Cholesterol and CRP assess different components of the heart disease process.
In 2003, the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published cardiovascular risk levels for the hs-CRP test. An hs-CRP >3 mg/L indicates a high risk for cardiovascular disease, even if cholesterol levels are low. Fasting is not necessary for the hs-CRP test.
An hs-CRP >8 mg/L observed in an apparently healthy person should be repeated 2-3 weeks later to rule out a recent undetected infection or injury.
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Heart Disease Warning Signs
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Sources: Ridker, PM. C-reactive protein: A simple test to help predict risk of heart attack and stroke. Circulation. 2003;108:e81-e85. Pearson, TA, et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. AHA/CDC Scientific Statement. Circulation. 2003;107:499-511.
