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hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)

Also known as High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

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Understanding hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)

What is hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)?

An hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) is a blood test that measures the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the bloodstream. It derives its name from its greater sensitivity to CRP levels than standard CRP tests. CRP is a marker of inflammation produced by the liver in response to various stimuli, including infection, tissue injury, and inflammation.

An hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) test has greater sensitivity and can detect even low levels of CRP in the bloodstream. This allows for a more precise assessment of inflammation, particularly in individuals at low to moderate cardiovascular risk. This test helps assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, monitor inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and assess inflammation in individuals with autoimmune disorders or chronic infections,

Higher hs-CRP levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Your doctor may recommend the hs-CRP test if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease. The test is used with other risk factors, such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure, to assess overall cardiovascular risk and guide preventive interventions.

In addition to cardiovascular risk assessment, the hs-CRP test monitors inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease. Changes in hs-CRP levels over time may indicate disease activity or response to treatment.

No fasting is required for this test. You can eat and drink normally as per your routine. Your doctor will also examine your results based on age, diet, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other factors. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help the doctor determine your medical condition and formulate your treatment plan.

What is hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) used for?

An hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) test is done to:

Evaluate your risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
Check for bacterial or viral infections if symptoms include fever, chills, redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, and/or rapid heart rate.
Detect and monitor the flare-ups of autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc.
Assess the treatment efficacy of chronic inflammatory conditions.
Check for sepsis, a serious life-threatening medical emergency resulting from the body's extreme response to an infection.

What does hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) measure?

An hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) test is a state-of-the-art biochemical marker to predict potential risks of future diseases. This test is more sensitive than the standard CRP test and can also detect lower CRP levels in the blood. Its accuracy in predicting cardiovascular issues, autoimmune disorders, and other health issues makes it an excellent test to detect asymptomatic conditions with limited diagnosis.

Interpreting hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) results

Interpretations

A desirable blood level of Hs-CRP is less than 1 mg/ml.

Low risk: less than 1.0 mg/L

Average risk: 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L

High risk: above 3.0 mg/L

Above 10 mg/mL: indicates acute inflammation

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)

Frequently Asked Questions about hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)

Q. Do I need to fast before taking the hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) test?

No fasting is required for this test. You can schedule it at your convenience without avoiding food or water beforehand.

Q. What does high levels of hs-CRP mean?

An hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) test is a CVD risk screening test. Hence, the high levels of hs-CRP indicate the increased risk of developing heart disease and its complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, and sudden cardiac death.

Q. What are the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases?

Age, gender, and a family history of early heart disease are some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease that cannot be controlled. However, there are some other risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes, that can be controlled to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Q. What can be the possible causes for high hs-CRP levels?

One major cause of high hsCRP levels is obesity. Adipose or fat tissue produces cytokines that cause inflammation throughout the body. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other autoimmune conditions, infections like pancreatitis or bronchitis, acute/chronic bacterial and viral infections, or major trauma can cause high hsCRP levels.

Q. What is the difference between a CRP test and an hs-CRP test?

A standard CRP test measures markedly high levels of CRP to detect diseases that cause significant inflammation. However, the high-sensitivity CRP test detects even lower levels of CRP than the standard test and, therefore, helps in evaluating an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or similar conditions.

Q. Is the hs-CRP specific for predicting heart diseases?

No, the hs-CRP is not specific for predicting heart disease. It is a marker of inflammation and can increase in various other medical conditions such as chronic inflammatory conditions (rheumatological disease, lupus, vasculitis), inflammatory bowel disease, infections (such as pneumonia, tuberculosis), surgery, drug reaction, burns, oral contraceptive pill use, or trauma. Recent studies have shown that having CRP in the high range may also be associated with other diseases, such as colon cancer, complications of diabetes, and obesity.

Q. What additional tests can be prescribed by the doctor in case the result of an hs-CRP test is not normal?

Additional tests that may be prescribed in case your hs-CRP test shows abnormal results are the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) test, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody test.

Q. What are chronic inflammatory diseases?

Chronic inflammatory diseases are conditions that lead to the development of long-lasting or frequently recurring inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Q. How can I naturally reduce my hs-CRP levels?

Always consult your doctor if your hs-CRP levels are high. However, some lifestyle modifications, such as making healthy food choices, adding fiber and vitamin-rich foods to your daily diet, exercising regularly to maintain healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake and smoking, and managing stress, may help you reduce your CRP levels naturally.

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