hs-CRP and heart risk: the difference with regular CRP

You see two almost identical tests on your result: CRP and hs-CRP. Many people think they are two different substances, but that is wrong. It is the same substance, only measured much more precisely in the low range. And that low range is exactly what is interesting for your heart. Research links a slightly raised hs-CRP to a higher cardiovascular risk, even in people without symptoms (Pearson 2003). In our experience it helps a lot to grasp this difference once.

This article belongs to the overview about inflammation markers in your blood and covers hs-CRP and your heart.

What is the difference with regular CRP?

Regular CRP is made to detect clear inflammation, such as an infection, and reads best in the higher range. hs-CRP, the high-sensitivity variant, is tuned to measure very low values precisely, exactly where regular CRP cannot yet tell the difference. Think of a kitchen scale versus a fine laboratory scale: for a bag of potatoes it does not matter, for a few grams it does.

hs-CRP versus regular CRP

hs-CRP is a risk marker, not a predictor that gives certainty. A slightly raised value does not mean you will get a heart problem, and a low value is no guarantee. It is one piece of a larger puzzle.

How does hs-CRP relate to your heart?

Inflammation plays a role in the process where your arteries slowly narrow. A persistently slightly raised hs-CRP can point to more inflammatory activity in your vessels. A large study looked at vascular risk in people with normal cholesterol but a raised hs-CRP (Ridker 2008). Still, nuance matters: hs-CRP is non-specific and rises with a cold, extra weight or hard exercise, so it is only useful alongside other risk factors.

hs-CRP in your broader heart profile

hs-CRP rarely stands alone. For a broader view of your cardiovascular risk, several markers are often read together. The article on apoB, hs-CRP and homocysteine fits well here, and the basics are on the CRP page. To measure without a referral, you can choose the Vitalcheck extended health checkup or start with the basic health checkup. Every result is reviewed by a BIG-registered doctor.

References

• Pearson TA, et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2003. PMID: 12551878.
• Ridker PM, et al. Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive protein. N Engl J Med. 2008. PMID: 18997196.
• Hartstichting. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.