High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a compound produced by the liver, appear to be have an association with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This can be more extreme in patients with existing risk factors like poor physical health and a history of cardiovascular problems. A doctor may request a CRP test to check on a patient's health, and there may be a cause for concern if the levels are higher than expected.
The body produces CRP in response to inflammation. High CRP levels indicate that an inflammatory process is ongoing in some part of the body. In a patient with a known infection or inflammation, a doctor would expect to find high levels. Patients without any recent medical history of disease may have high CRP levels as a result of an underlying issue that is not immediately obvious, or for other reasons. Some patients appear to have naturally higher levels, especially if they are overweight.
In a patient with high CRP levels, the concern is twofold. The elevated levels of this protein indicate that inflammation is occurring somewhere in the body, and it needs treatment if the problem is not already being addressed with medical care. Doctors may request a CRP test after surgery and for patients in treatment for cancer in order to identify signs of inflammation and infection as early as possible. Early diagnosis expands treatment options and can improve patient outcomes.
The other issue is the underlying association between high CRP levels and cardiovascular events like strokes, heart attacks, and stenosis of the arteries. The nature of this link is not fully understood. Doctors also note that in patients who have received treatment for narrowed arteries, high CRP levels can indicate an increased risk of restenosis, where a stent clogs with plaques and the artery narrows again.
Patients with known disease processes ongoing in their bodies can view high CRP levels as a sign that their bodies are fighting inflammation and infection. The doctor may need to run other tests to determine how well the body is functioning, and can make recommendations to adjust the treatment, if necessary. In patients with naturally high CRP levels because of existing risk factors like obesity, the high levels are a reminder of the increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Otherwise healthy patients with a high CRP may need to be concerned, as they could have an underlying unidentified medical issue and may require further evaluation.