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C-Reactive Protein
February 15, 2009 |
Inflammation is the process by which the body responds to an injury or infection.
C-reactive protein, or CRP, is one of the proteins in your blood that increases
during systemic inflammation.
Dr. Elizabeth Cosmi-Cintron says, “A C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker
that is shown to potentially indicate patients that may be more at risk of having
a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack.”
A simple blood test can measure the amount of CRP in your system. High levels of
CRP may put you at risk for cardiovascular disease. “If you do have risk factors
that include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of coronary artery disease,
you may want to have your C-reactive protein checked,” adds Dr. Cosmi-Cintron.
Doctors say if you do have an elevated CRP you can modify your risk through medications.
Dr. Cosmi-Cintron adds, “That C-reactive protein can help identify who should be
treated more aggressively.” CRP levels can be elevated in the later stages of pregnancy
as well as those using birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
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