High Sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hsCRP)

General Information

C  Reactive protein is one of the most sensitive reactants of the acute phase. Its concentration in plasma changes dramatically during severe injuries, bacterial infections, inflammation, surgical intervention and tumor processes.
high sensitivity C reactive protein (Hs-CRP) It is a substance that increases in the blood during inflammation, infection, surgical interventions, injuries.
Detection of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) in low concentrations indicates prolonged vascular inflammation.

high sensitivity C reactive protein (Hs-CRP) It is an evaluable marker of the development of chronic heart disease, which can be used in practically healthy people as well.
Hs-CRP A normal, slightly increased level of cholesterol (1.0 - 3.0 mg/l) in otherwise healthy people indicates the risk of future heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death and peripheral arterial (atherosclerotic) diseases, even in the case when the cholesterol level does not deviate from the norm. .

A number of epidemiological studies confirm that patients, both men and women, with an increase in plasma high-sensitivity CRP have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.
Thus, C-reactive protein is an indirect risk factor for coronary heart disease, and its elevated plasma concentration may reflect conditions such as:

• Inflammatory process of coronary arteries caused by infectious agents
• Severity of inflammatory processes in atherosclerotic blood vessels
• Expansion and spread of inflammation associated with myocardial ischemia
• Expansion and spread of inflammation associated with myocardial necrosis
• Amount and activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein measures small changes in this protein that correlate with cardiovascular disease risk factors and heart disease prevention.

The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test is more sensitive than the standard test and allows for the detection of minor changes in the concentration of C-reactive protein. It is used in the following pathologies:

• To assess infection status
• To diagnose chronic inflammatory diseases (eg: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus)
• For risk assessment of heart diseases
• To assess the risk of recurrent heart attack

A number of epidemiological studies confirm that patients, both men and women, with an increase in plasma high-sensitivity CRP have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.
Thus, C-reactive protein is an indirect risk factor for coronary heart disease, and its elevated plasma concentration may reflect conditions such as:

• Inflammatory process of coronary arteries caused by infectious agents
• Severity of inflammatory processes in atherosclerotic blood vessels
• Expansion and spread of inflammation associated with myocardial ischemia
• Expansion and spread of inflammation associated with myocardial necrosis
• Amount and activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines

When should we do the research?

Determination of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) is recommended:

• For people who have a 10%-10% risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 20 years (defined by standard markers).
• In elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, diabetes or kidney pathologies - to make treatment decisions.

When the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level is elevated, it is recommended to repeat the test in about 2 weeks.

Conducting the study is not recommended in patients with symptoms of infection or inflammation and during injuries.

Preliminary preparation:  no need

Material for examination:  Venous blood

Referral norms:

< 1mg/L: low risk

1-3 mg/l: medium risk

> 3 mg/L: increased risk

If the reading is > 10 mg/L, a cardiovascular cause is unlikely.

Referral norms for newborns and children:

Newborns (up to 0-3 weeks): 0.1-4.1 mg/l

Children (from 1 month to 15 years): 0.1-2.8 mg/l

Interpretation

An increase in C-reactive protein is a non-specific marker and its significance should be considered in the context of clinical data. The research does not have a screening character.