High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)🔬 High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
A sensitive marker of inflammation, used especially to assess cardiovascular risk.
🔍 What is it?
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that detects low levels of inflammation in the body. It’s more refined than the standard CRP test and is often used to estimate your risk of heart disease and stroke, even if you have no symptoms.
Inflammation plays a role in atherosclerosis, where arteries become narrowed or blocked — a key cause of cardiovascular events.
📊 What does it measure?
hs-CRP measures C-reactive protein, which is produced by the liver in response to inflammation.
Interpretation of hs-CRP Levels (mg/L):
| Level | Interpretation |
| < 1.0 mg/L | Low risk of cardiovascular disease |
| 1.0–3.0 mg/L | Moderate risk |
| > 3.0 mg/L | High risk; significant inflammation present |
| > 10 mg/L | May suggest acute infection or other illness – retesting usually advised |
❓ Why might I need it?
You may be recommended an hs-CRP test if you:
- ❤️ Have risk factors for heart disease or stroke (e.g. 🚬 smoking, 🧈 high cholesterol, 💉 diabetes)
- 📊 Want to assess your cardiovascular risk more precisely
- 🧬 Have a family history of heart disease
- 💊 Are monitoring treatment response for chronic inflammation (e.g. autoimmune diseases)
💤 Have persistent fatigue or unexplained symptoms linked to inflammation
🧬 Conditions it can help detect or assess:
- Cardiovascular disease and heart attack risk
- Chronic inflammation
- Autoimmune conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Metabolic syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (as a monitoring tool)
- Long COVID-related inflammation (in some cases)
Note: hs-CRP does not diagnose a specific condition but is a marker indicating inflammation levels.
🩺 How is it done?
- A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm
- The procedure takes a few minutes
- Results are usually available within 1–2 working days
💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:
- Standalone hs-CRP test: £40–£70
- Often included in cardiac risk panels, inflammation panels, or fatigue assessments
✅ Commonly combined with:
- Lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Blood pressure monitoring
- HbA1c or fasting glucose (diabetes risk)
- Full blood count (FBC) and liver function tests
- Homocysteine (another emerging marker of cardiovascular risk)
📚 References:
- NHS – C-reactive protein (CRP) test
- British Heart Foundation – Inflammation and heart disease
- BMJ – Role of CRP in cardiovascular risk assessment