hs-CRP: Measuring Silent Inflammation
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is your body's inflammation alarm system. Learn what elevated levels mean for heart disease risk and overall health.
Reference: < 1.0 mg/L (low risk), 1.0-3.0 mg/L (intermediate), > 3.0 mg/L (high risk) mg/L
Key Takeaway
Chronic low-grade inflammation is a silent killer that drives heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and even cancer. hs-CRP is one of the best ways to detect this hidden inflammation and assess your cardiovascular risk beyond cholesterol alone.
What is CRP?
C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by your liver in response to inflammation. It's part of your immune system's alarm response—levels rise quickly during infections, injuries, and other inflammatory triggers.
High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is a specialized test that can detect very low levels of inflammation that standard CRP tests miss. These low-grade elevations are associated with:
- Atherosclerosis - Inflammation drives plaque formation and rupture
- Metabolic syndrome - Inflammation underlies insulin resistance
- Autoimmune diseases - Chronic immune activation
- Cancer risk - Inflammation promotes tumor development
Why 'High-Sensitivity' Matters
Standard CRP tests detect inflammation from acute conditions like infections (levels ＞ 10 mg/L). hs-CRP measures the tiny elevations (0.5-5 mg/L) that reflect chronic, smoldering inflammation. This is what makes it useful for cardiovascular risk assessment—detecting the fire before it becomes a blaze.
Understanding Your Results
Reference Range
Testing Context Matters
hs-CRP should be measured when you're healthy:
- No acute illness (wait 2 weeks after cold/flu)
- No recent injury or surgery
- Not pregnant (hs-CRP is normally elevated in pregnancy)
- No recent intense exercise (wait 48 hours)
- Fasting preferred (though not required)
Results outside these conditions may reflect temporary inflammation, not chronic baseline.
What Your Level Means
Why Inflammation Matters for Heart Disease
The Inflammation-Atherosclerosis Connection
| Factor | Effect | What to Do |
|---|
Always tell your doctor about medications, supplements, and recent health events before testing.
Causes of Elevated hs-CRP
| Cause | Typical hs-CRP | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Metabolic syndrome/obesity | 2-5 mg/L | Weight loss, exercise, diet changes |
| Periodontal disease | 2-4 mg/L | Dental evaluation and treatment |
| Smoking | 2-5 mg/L | Smoking cessation |
| Poor diet (high sugar/processed foods) | 2-4 mg/L | Adopt anti-inflammatory diet |
| Chronic stress | 1-3 mg/L | Stress management techniques |
| Sedentary lifestyle | 1-3 mg/L | Regular aerobic exercise |
| Autoimmune disease | 3-20 mg/L | Medical evaluation and treatment |
| Low-grade infections | 2-5 mg/L | Identify and treat source |
| Source: Clinical guidelines and literature review | ||
Lowering hs-CRP Naturally
Foods that reduce inflammation:
- Fatty fish - Salmon, sardines, mackerel (omega-3s)
- Berries - Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries (antioxidants)
- Leafy greens - Spinach, kale, collards (vitamins, minerals)
- Nuts - Walnuts, almonds (healthy fats, antioxidants)
- Olive oil - Extra virgin (polyphenols)
- Tomatoes - Lycopene (especially cooked)
- Turmeric - Curcumin (powerful anti-inflammatory)
- Dark chocolate - 70%+ cocoa (flavanols)
Foods to limit or avoid:
- Added sugars and sweetened beverages
- Refined carbohydrates (white bread, pastries)
- Fried foods
- Processed meats (bacon, sausage, hot dogs)
- Excessive omega-6 oils (soybean, corn oil)
Related Biomarkers
🔗Related Biomarkers
Clinical Applications
Heart Risk Assessment
hs-CRP adds independent risk information beyond traditional factors:
- Normal LDL but high hs-CRP: You still have elevated risk. Treatment may be warranted.
- Elevated LDL AND high hs-CRP: Risk is multiplied, not just added. Aggressive treatment is more clearly indicated.
- Statins lower hs-CRP: Part of statins' benefit comes from anti-inflammatory effects.
Who should test?
- Those with family history of early heart disease
- People deciding on statin therapy (borderline LDL)
- Anyone wanting comprehensive risk assessment
- Monitoring response to lifestyle changes
Other Conditions Linked to Elevated hs-CRP
🔬Inflammation Beyond Heart Disease
Elevated hs-CRP is associated with numerous conditions:
Metabolic conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- NAFLD (fatty liver disease)
Autoimmune diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Other conditions:
- Depression (inflammatory subtype)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Certain cancers
- Chronic kidney disease
hs-CRP is a general marker—it doesn't identify the source of inflammation. Elevated levels warrant investigation to find and address the underlying cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
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