hs-CRP as a risk assessment tool for cardiovascular disease

hs-CRP as a risk assessment tool for cardiovascular disease It is often mentioned that almost half of first cardiovascular events occur in individuals with no known risk factors. C-reactive protein (CRP) which is usually considered as an inflammatory marker, has emerged as an important cardiovascular risk marker as well. CRP is equivalent to LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) as a risk marker. Being an inflammatory marker, high CRP levels also indicate the possibility of plaque rupture leading to coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction [1]. The current high sensitivity assays of CRP known in short as hs-CRP can also predict recurrent coronary events in those with known coronary artery disease. hs-CRP complements information obtained by lipid profile assessment and other methods of cardiovascular risk assessment. Statins used for lowering LDL cholesterol while reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, also brings down hs-CRP levels. Just like multiple lipid profile assessments are useful in cardiovascular risk prediction, multiple values of hs-CRP spread over a period of time has also been useful in risk prediction. One study included over 53 thousand participants with hs-CRP measured at 3 examinations in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Cumulative exposure to hs-CRP was calculated as the weighted sum of the average hs-CRP level for each time interval [2]. Participants with hs-CRP less than 3.0 mg/L in all examinations were classified as non-exposed. Those with ...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs