C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

CRP (C-reactive Protein)

What To Think About

• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measures very low amounts of CRP in the blood. This test may help find your risk for heart problems, especially when it is considered along other risk factors such as cholesterol, age, blood pressure, and smoking. But the connection between high CRP levels and heart disease risk is not understood very well.
• High CRP levels before a major surgery may indicate that you are at risk for developing an infection after surgery.
• CRP testing can be used to see how well you respond to cancer treatment or treatment for an infection. Your CRP levels will rise quickly and then quickly return to normal if the treatment is working.
• High CRP levels may increase your chances of having other diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and colon cancer.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: March 26, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine George Philippides, MD - Cardiology
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