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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
hs C-Reactive Protein Test
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hs C-Reactive Protein Test
by Bob56, Apr 15, 2002 12:00AM
I am 45, Male, 6’, 320# (currently on a diet), light exerciser (realize that I have to do more), don’t know family medical history. BP currently= 135-140/75-85 my lipids are: LDL=107, HDL=36, TRI=87, Total Chol=140. HS-CRP result was 0.642 MG/DL. I have had Pneumonia this year as well as 2 sinus infections. My Doc says that for now all I need to do is take an 81mg aspirin every day, take vitamins/minerals related to heart health, and of course, lose more weight and exercise more. Questions: 1. Does just taking the aspirin sound reasonable? 2. Can the elevated hs-CRP value be caused by the bacterial infections and chronic muscle strain that I have recently had/have? 3. How concerned should I be over the elevated hs-CRP value? 4. Should the low HDL be troubling me? Thank you for any info.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Apr 16, 2002 12:00AM
Dear bob,
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation that has recently come to light as an important marker of cardiovascular risk. The higher the CRP the higher the future risk of a heart attack. Risk levels for ultrasensitive CRP are as follows: <0.139 normal, 0.14-0.525 2 fold risk factor, >0.525 4 fold risk factor. If the CRP is measured close to an acute infection it may be falsely elevated.
Persons with elevated CRP levels should be treated agressively. Aspirin should be given unless there is a contraindication and in addition other risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking and cholesterol should be modified. A HDL of less than 35 is considered an independent risk factor. For someone in your situation I would discuss with your doctor starting a cholesterol medication such as Niacin. This would help to lower LDL and raise HDL.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation that has recently come to light as an important marker of cardiovascular risk. The higher the CRP the higher the future risk of a heart attack. Risk levels for ultrasensitive CRP are as follows: <0.139 normal, 0.14-0.525 2 fold risk factor, >0.525 4 fold risk factor. If the CRP is measured close to an acute infection it may be falsely elevated.
Persons with elevated CRP levels should be treated agressively. Aspirin should be given unless there is a contraindication and in addition other risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking and cholesterol should be modified. A HDL of less than 35 is considered an independent risk factor. For someone in your situation I would discuss with your doctor starting a cholesterol medication such as Niacin. This would help to lower LDL and raise HDL.
on my Pathology report it says that there is a problem if it is <6
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Steve
Steve