High Sensitivity (also called Ultra-sensitive) C-reactive protein is known as HS-CRP, US-CRP or CRP for short. It is a protein found in the blood and what we call a "marker" for inflammation, meaning its presence indicates a heightened state of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a normal response to many physical states including fever, injury and infection. Inflammation plays a role in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease.
Inflammation of the arteries is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, sudden death, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. It has also been linked to an increased risk of restenosis, or the re-closing of an artery that has been treated with balloon angioplasty. Individuals with elevated CRP levels have a 2 to 3 times greater risk for cardiovascular disease than those with lower levels.
What is this Test for?
This test will determine if you have elevated levels of HS-CRP. While elevated lipid levels (cholesterol and triglyceride levels) are all independent risk factors for heart disease and cholesterol build-up, HS-CRP provides additional information about inflammation in the arteries – something not determined by lipid testing alone. You risk factor is measured the following way:
Testing should not occur while ill or injured. The HS-CRP should be ordered to evaluate CVD risk in apparently healthy individuals who have not had recent infection or other serious illness. Those who have levels of higher than 10 should be evaluated for other sources of inflammation.
What can I do if my HS-CRP level is high?
A high HS-CRP should be treated by aggressive risk factor reducing strategies. These include lifestyle change, such as:
What should you expect in your test?
Preparing for your screening is simple. We offer some helpful guidelines and our videos will help you understand what will happen so you can see that our screenings are pleasant experiences and something to look forward to. Our technicians are friendly and professional, and our screenings are painless. Even our blood screening tests, such as the High-Sensitivity C-Reactive protein test only require a quick finger prick, which produces a small amount of blood to be tested.
What should I wear?
What can I eat?
What equipment does HealthFair use?
Finger Stick
The finger stick is a test used that lightly stick your finger to draw a small amount of blood to test different levels in your body. It assists in determining if these levels are too high, too low, or at a healthy point. We use the finger stick for various health screening tests we have at HealthFair, and send the samples to our private laboratories where they process them.
Congratulations! You’re ready to schedule your HealthFair screening appointment and, most importantly, you are on the road to better health. Thank you for reviewing the above information. We look forward to screening you soon!