Health Screening for Elevated C-Reactive Protein
Last Modified: October 07, 2010
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an enzyme produced by the liver. At low levels, it's harmless, but elevated C-reactive protein is associated with a high risk for heart disease, heart attacks, Type 2 diabetes and strokes. Elevated C-reactive protein occurs in response to inflammation in the body, which can be caused by burns, infections, arthritis, cancer or other traumas.
Elevated C-reactive protein causes no symptoms, but it's been identified as a major warning sign for the development of heart disease, the number one killer of men and women. Medical screening for elevated C-reactive protein is important, as early intervention can be lifesaving.
What is Elevated C-Reactive Protein?
C-reactive protein is released into the blood as part of the body's response to an infection or injury. C-reactive protein levels can skyrocket within 24 to 48 hours of a trauma. Elevated CRP is considered a risk factor for heart disease because atherosclerosis, a disease marked by the hardening of the arteries, has an inflammatory component that can lead to chronically elevated CRP.
Who is at Risk for Elevated C-Reactive Protein?
Although anyone is at risk for elevated C-reactive protein, the chances of it leading to heart disease are much higher for people already at risk for cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include:
- Being a male over 45 or a woman over Diabetes or taking medication to control blood sugar
- Doing less than 30 total minutes of physical activity on most days
- Having a body mass index of 25 or higher
- Having a family history of heart attack or stroke
- Having a history of heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Having a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher
- Having an HDL or "good" cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL
- Having high blood pressure
- Receiving a diagnosis of carotid artery disease or peripheral arterial disease
- Smoking, or living or working with people who smoke every day.
How Does Elevated C-Reactive Protein Screening Work?
Medical screening for elevated C-reactive protein requires a simple finger-stick blood test, after which a technician evaluates the levels of CRP in your blood. Unlike many blood tests, you don't have to fast or otherwise prepare before medical screening for elevated CRP. Anyone in a high-risk category for heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes or stroke should have this medical screening test done.
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After you have your results, talk to your doctor about the assessment and make treatment plans, if necessary. A reading of less than 1 mg/L typically means your risk for heart disease is low, while a reading of more than 3 mg/L puts you at high risk.
Preventing Elevated C-Reactive Protein
Because C-reactive protein is a natural part of the body's immune system response, you can't prevent the elevation of CRP levels. However, you can take steps to lower your risk of heart disease. If you're a smoker, quit. Follow a balanced diet and a regular exercise program. If you've already been diagnosed with heart disease, talk to your doctor about aspirin therapy as a method of reducing inflammation.
Resources
American Heart Association (2010). Inflammation, heart disease and stroke: The role of C-reactive protein. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4648.
LifeLine Screening. (n.d.). Screening for C-reactive protein. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://www.lifelinescreening.com/health-screening-services/heart-disease/elevated-c-reactive-protein.aspx.
Nabili, S. (2010). C-reactive protein (CRP). Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://www.medicinenet.com/c-reactive_protein_test_crp/article.htm.