hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)

Also known as High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred.

Understanding hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)

What is hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP)?

A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test measures low levels of CRP and may be used to evaluate an individual risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. CRP levels increase in the blood with inflammation, infection as well as after a heart attack, surgery, or trauma.

Relatively high levels of hs-CRP in healthy individuals are predictive of an increased risk of a future heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

High-sensitivity CRP along lipid profile can be a useful test for screening the risk of CVD and heart attacks. The hs-CRP test results indicate a person’s risk according to the level of the protein, low risk when levels are <1 mg/L, the moderate risk is between 1-3 mg/L and high risk is >3 mg/L.

What is hsCRP (High Sensitive CRP) used for?

To evaluate a person's risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

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. Is there any preparation required before the test?

Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.

Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.

Q. What does the test result of Hs-CRP mean?

Hs-CRP is a CVD risk screening test and the higher the hs-CRP the higher is the risk of developing heart disease and its complications such as heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, and sudden cardiac death. Sometimes, lipid lowering medications may be prescribed in patients with high hs-CRP levels even if their cholesterol levels are not high to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Q. Is Hs-CRP specific for predicting heart diseases?

No, 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, infection (such as pneumonia, tuberculosis), surgery, drug reaction, burns, oral contraceptive pill use, or trauma. Recent studies have studies shown that having CRP in the high normal range may also be associated with other diseases such as colon cancer, complications of diabetes, and obesity.

Q. What is the difference between CRP test and Hs-CRP test ?

The standard CRP test measures markedly high levels of CRP to detect diseases that cause significant inflammation. It measures CRP within the range of 10 to 1000 mg/L. The high-sensitivity CRP test detects lower levels of CRP than the standard CRP test and thus helps in evaluating an individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It measures CRP within the range of 0.5 to 10 mg/L.

Q. What are symptoms of high C-reactive protein?

There are no specific symptoms of high CRP level as it is not a disease-specific test, instead, the signs and symptoms, if present, will be of any underlying disease condition.

Q. Who should get tested for Hs-CRP?

Checking CRP level of entire adult population is not recommended. Adult patients with a risk of heart diseases or family history of heart disease should be advised hs-CRP along with other screening tests.

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