C-reactive protein (CRP) with high-sensitivity measurement

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or hs-CRP, is a substance your liver produces when there is inflammation somewhere in your body. Measuring it with a simple blood test helps your doctor estimate your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems, often before any symptoms appear, so prevention steps can start earlier.

hs-CRP is a sensitive marker for inflammation, which can occur even when you don’t feel sick. It’s often used to assess risk for conditions like heart disease or autoimmune disorders, though it’s not a standalone diagnosis tool.

The hs-CRP test is a straightforward blood test. A healthcare professional draws a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm, and sends it to a laboratory. The lab measures the amount of C-reactive protein in the sample and reports the result in mg/L, which your doctor interprets together with your other risk factors.

A small blood sample is taken from your arm and sent to a lab. The test measures the tiny amounts of CRP in your blood, which can indicate inflammation from infections, injuries, or chronic conditions like arthritis or heart disease.

Very little preparation is needed for an hs-CRP test. Fasting is generally not required, but follow any specific instructions from your doctor. Let your care team know about recent infections, injuries, chronic conditions, or medications you take, since illness and inflammation from other causes can temporarily raise your hs-CRP level and affect the result.

No special preparation is needed, but let your healthcare provider know if you’re taking blood thinners or have recent injuries, infections, or surgeries, as these can affect results.

Results are usually grouped by cardiovascular risk: below 1.0 mg/L is considered low, 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L is average, and above 3.0 mg/L suggests higher risk. A high result does not diagnose a specific disease. Your doctor may repeat the test, check other markers, and discuss lifestyle changes, medications, or further testing to protect your heart health.

Results are typically reported in micrograms per milliliter (µg/mL). Higher levels may signal increased inflammation, prompting further evaluation by your doctor. Follow-up may include lifestyle changes, additional tests, or treatment adjustments based on clinical context.