CRP Test and Heart Disease

Q: Can you tell me more about the cardiac CRP test and its significance in indicating a risk factor for heart disease? My result was high.

A: Our bodies naturally produce C-reactive protein in response to any type of inflammation resulting from injury or infection. High CRP levels may be a marker of coronary heart disease.

A CRP level lower than 1.0 mg/L (milligrams per liter) suggests a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A reading between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L indicates average risk, and a score higher than 3.0 mg/L suggests high risk.

However, recent research indicates CRP testing isn't much better at predicting heart disease risk than assessing traditional risk factors such as cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She's also a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.