Cardio C-Reactive Protein Level Lab Test Information
Test 120766
Cardiovascular Tests & Screens
Test 120766
Cardio C Reactive Protein Levels
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes are well-established risk factors for CVD, and now an additional predictor of CVD may be on the horizon.
Researchers investigated the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, using data from nearly 28,000 healthy American women who were followed for an average of 8 years. They found that C-reactive protein levels, especially when considered in combination with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, were strongly predictive of subsequent CVD events.
If additional studies confirm this observation, physicians may have a powerful new approach to screen people for CVD risk and to motivate high-risk patients to take steps to improve their prognosis. C-reactive protein is a special type of protein that is elevated during episodes of acute inflammation. The main importance of CRP is its interaction with the complement system, which is one of the body’s main mechanisms that triggers clot formation. Elevations of CRP may thus promote the activation of the clotting cascade that lead to strokes and heart attacks.
While this is not a specific test, it does give a general indication of the level of inflammation within the body which can be caused by conditions such as infection, trauma, atherosclerosis, or chronic inflammatory conditions. CRP also has been associated with the presence of “insulin resistance” as well as in increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Studies have demonstrated that CRP is a strong independent predictor of future heart attack and stroke, especially among individuals without known cardiovascular disease. Moreover, evaluating CRP with other traditional screening methods such as lipid screening or homocysteine levels, can further its predictive value of cardiovascular risk.
Testing Protocol:
The client provides a blood sample at the time of testing, which is evaluated using FDA-approved measurement technology.
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Notes: The Cardio C-Reactive Protein Level
medical lab tests provided by YourLabTest.com are performed by
US certified laboratories who operate patient service centers
in most cities in the United States. Once your Cardio C-Reactive Protein Level
lab test specimens are taken your lab results are available in
24 to 48 hours. One of our physicians will be sending the results
to you directly.
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