In this week's episode we take a closer look at the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test, a powerful tool which may help assess cardiovascular risk. It is a biomarker of inflammation, and hs-CRP’s ability to predict heart disease is both fascinating and complex. We’ll explore how chronic inflammation affects the heart, what high hs-CRP levels can reveal about your health, and how lifestyle  and medical changes like exercise and statins can help lower your risk.

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References:

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Bray, C., Bell, L. N., Liang, H., Haykal, R., Kaiksow, F., Mazza, J. J., & Yale, S. H. (2016). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein measurements and their relevance in clinical medicine. Wmj, 115(6), 317-21.

Labcorp. (n.d.). Inflammation (hs-CRP) test. Labcorp OnDemand, [Website]. Accessed 14 October, 2024. https://www.ondemand.labcorp.com/lab-tests/inflammation-hs-crp-test

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Ridker, P. M. (2016). A test in context: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 67(6), 712-723. https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.11.037

Ridker, P. M., Danielson, E., Fonseca, F. A., Genest, J., Gotto Jr, A. M., Kastelein, J. J., ... & Glynn, R. J. (2008). Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive protein. New England journal of medicine, 359(21), 2195-2207. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0807646

Ridker, P. M., Rifai, N., Clearfield, M., Downs, J. R., Weis, S. E., Miles, J. S., & Gotto Jr, A. M. (2001). Measurement of C-reactive protein for the targeting of statin therapy in the primary prevention of acute coronary events. New England Journal of Medicine, 344(26), 1959-1965. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200106283442601

Sproston, N. R., & Ashworth, J. J. (2018). Role of C-reactive protein at sites of inflammation and infection. Frontiers in immunology, 9, 754. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5908901/

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