How Can I Improve My Crp Levels
Determining the cause of inflammation is essential to lowering CRP levels, but exercise, refraining from smoking, and consuming a heart-healthy diet can help. CRP levels can also be elevated by inflammation due to infections and autoimmune diseases, such as Crohnâs disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Statin medications can also be used to reduce CRP levels.
References
Can I Take The Test At Home
Under most circumstances, this test can not be taken at home since it requires a blood sample to be taken. While mobile lab services are available in some areas which will collect your sample in your home, typically you will need to go to a professional medical setting to have your sample taken.
The test can be ordered online through Testing.com, but you will visit a local lab to have your blood drawn.
What Are The Treatments For Sepsis
It is very important to get treatment right away. Treatment usually includes:
- Maintaining blood flow to organs. This may involve getting oxygen and intravenous fluids.
- Treating the source of the infection
- If needed, medicines to increase blood pressure
In serious cases, you might need kidney dialysis or a breathing tube. Some people need surgery to remove tissue damaged by the infection.
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Is This Test Right For Me
This test is right for you if you:
- Are healthy and have no symptoms of cardiovascular disease
- Are interested in a more sensitive measure of your CRP levels in order to work with your healthcare provider in evaluating your risk for cardiovascular disease
- Have a family history of CVD
This test may not be right for you if you:
- Have already been diagnosed with chronic inflammation
- Have already experienced a serious CVD event such as heart attack or stroke
Foods To Avoid With High C
Related Articles
The C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker often checked in blood tests to determine levels of inflammation in the body. Produced by the liver, it becomes elevated with a variety of inflammatory conditions, including digestive, heart and joint problems. Research has shown that lowering the levels of inflammation in the body can greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Inflammation can be reduced with a variety of lifestyle strategies, including the reduction of certain foods in the diet.
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How To Test High Sensitivity Crp
The High Sensitivity CRP Test allows you to accurately check your levels of High Sensitivity CRP in a fingerprick blood sample.
You can check your High Sensitivity CRP levels by buying a home finger-prick blood test kit below. Your sample is then professionally analysed in an accredited laboratory for total reassurance. The Vitall Cardiovascular Risk Home Test Kit includes a High Sensitivity CRP test and is available for just£49.
Please see the following test kit:
What Are The Risk Factors For High Levels Of C
Heart disease has an inflammatory component, which may be linked to high C-reactive protein levels. However, based on the current available data it cannot be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Based on the review of the published data, the CDC and the American Heart Association have recommended the following guidelines for assessment of cardiovascular disease risk:
- CRP levels of 1 mg per liter or lower are considered low risk for cardiovascular disease.
- CRP levels of 1-3 mg per liter are considered moderate risk for cardiovascular disease.
- CRP levels greater than 3 mg per liter are considered high risk for cardiovascular disease.
- CRP levels greater than 10 mg per liter may suggest an acute coronary process, such as heart attack .
The known risk factors for cardiovascular disease are:
This may be possibly related to ongoing inflammatory atherosclerosis in these individuals because of their risk factors.
Despite these associations, research has not clearly and consistently established c-reactive protein as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as the data seem to be inconsistent from different studies. It has been proposed that elevated c-reactive protein is an independent predictor of atherosclerosis among healthy men and women.
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Whats The Link Between Crp And Cardiovascular Health
When inflammation becomes chronic, it leads to changes in your blood vessels making them more permeable to fat and cholesterol and leading to the formation of plaque on the blood vessel walls. This is why chronic inflammation can cause atherosclerosis and heart attacks¹ and elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
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What Do My Crp
Having high levels of CRP when all other tests indicate that an individual is relatively healthy has been shown to be a predictor in the risks of future heart attacks, stroke, arterial disease, or sudden cardiac death even when cholesterol levels are within normal ranges. The amount of risk is directly correlated with amount of CRP that is detected by the blood test. Those with higher levels of CRP have a higher level of risk compared to those with lower levels of CRP.
Even when the results are at the high end of the normal range of CRP, those with this test result have up to 4x the amount of risk of cardiovascular disease complications as those who are at the lower end of the normal range.
The amount of risk that a person may experience has been grouped into three generic categories. Those with the lowest risk levels will have CRP-HS blood test results that are below 1mg/L. An average amount of risk is seen in individuals with test results that fall between 1-3mg/L. High risk involves anyone with levels that are above 3mg/L.
What Is The Normal Range For A Crp Test
Laboratories have different reference ranges for normal C-reactive protein levels. When you get your blood test results back, there will be information that indicates what that labs normal CRP range is.
In general, the normal CRP level is less than 0.9 milligrams per deciliter .
Many factors can affect your CRP level. Minor CRP level elevation may be due to the following conditions or situations:
People assigned female at birth and elderly people have naturally higher levels of CRP.
If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.
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Is There Any Certain Age That I Should Have My Crp Tested
All current studies have been performed on middle-aged men and women, as well as the elderly. No data is available for the benefits of testing in children or young adults.
References:
- Clinical Chemistry 2001, 47:3:403-411
- Ridker, P, et al. 1997. Inflammation, Aspirin and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Apparently Healthy Men.
- New England Journal of Medicine 1997 336:973-979.
- American Heart Association Journal Report 11/05/1999 Blood Marker Can Signal Trouble for Individuals with Heart Disease.
If My High Sensitivity Crp Is Elevated Does This Mean I Am Going To Have A Heart Attack
The high sensitivity CRP only measures potential risk of heart disease, not who will develop heart disease. CRP is elevated when the body is fighting off an infection or inflammation. It is recommended to have a high sensitivity CRP level test performed and use this as a baseline to which subsequent high sensitivity CRP results can be compared. If the first result is elevated, testing should be repeated three to four weeks later. This is to rule out low-grade infection or inflammation.
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What If High Sensitivity Crp Test Levels Are High
If you have a chronic inflammatory condition or have suffered an acute infection or inflammation, CRP levels are usually increased.
In the absence of infection or inflammation, CRP levels should remain low, so high levels can indicate increased risk from heart disease
hs-CRP does not give a definitive assessment of this risk, so this should be gauged using additional markers e.g. cholesterol and triglycerides also.
We recommend testing your hs-CRP levels again in at least two weeks to rule out acute inflammation.
Who Should Get A Crp Test
If your doctor suspects you might have an inflammatory disorder like arthritis, cancer, an infection, etc., they may order a C-reactive protein test. This test can show theres a high level of inflammation, but it cannot show where the inflammation is located or what might be causing it. If you have been previously diagnosed with an inflammatory issue, your doctor may also order this test occasionally to see how your treatment is working and if the issue is being properly managed.
Its important to note that the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test is a slightly different test than a regular C-reaction protein test. This test typically predicts heart disease and strokes. And while the regular C-reactive test can help to uncover different diseases that cause inflammation by measuring high levels of protein, the hs-CRP test measures a lower amount of protein, which can signal the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Your doctor may order an HS-CRP if theyre focusing on cardiovascular issues.
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What Does A High Crp Level Mean
If you have a moderately to severely elevated CRP level, it probably means you have some type of inflammation. But a CRP test cant show the cause of the inflammation or where it is in your body. Because of this, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests if your result shows a high CRP level.
How high your CRP level is can mean different things.
Moderate elevation
A CRP test result of 1.0 to 10.0 milligrams per deciliter is generally considered a moderately elevated level. This result may indicate any of the following conditions:
- Systemic inflammation from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis , systemic lupus erythematosus or other autoimmune conditions.
What Else Do I Need To Know Before I Appear For A C
The CRP test is simple in nature and the following points will assist in getting to know the test and associated results better. A high level of CRP does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from a cardiac ailment. For any patient who is pregnant or has any other chronic infection or inflammatory disease, the CRP test alone is not sufficient to assess the risk of heart disease. The CRP level is termed as a biomarker and is not a precise indicator of any health problem. In case you have higher levels of the protein, the doctor may suggest lifestyle and dietary changes as a part of the treatment plan.Routine follow-up with the doctor is often necessary if any high-risk ailments like heart disease, diabetes, and others are established.
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Why Take The High Sensitivity Crp Test
Our cardiovascualr risk home blood test kit assesses low levels of inflammation in your body using high sensitivity CRP , a very sensitive clinical marker.
This allows you to indicate your risk from cardiovascular diseases including stroke, heart attack and death in apparently healthy individuals.
It can also be used to monitor sporting performance, since levels of inflammation can be elevated following over-training.
Take control of your health without any of the inconvenience of going to the doctors with one of Vitalls at-home blood tests.
Where Can I Get A Crp Lab Test Done Near Me
You can order the CRP blood test by following these four simple steps.
Step 1: Go to our websites autoimmune disease tests or heart health blood tests sections. Then, type in and order the CRP test quantitative and download the lab test order, which serves as your doctors order for the lab procedure.
Step 2: Select a partner medical center through our lab locator.
Step 3: Visit the laboratory you chose to have your blood collected.
Step 4: Expect the lab test results within 2-10 business days in your Personalabs account.
For an exact turnaround time for results, please contact us at 1-888-438-5227. We will contact the lab of your choice as turnaround times vary depending on testing location or lab testing provider.
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When Is The Crp
There is no general consensus within the medical community as to when the best time to have the CRP-HS blood test ordered. Some studies have indicated that may be useful in certain gender and age demographics to screen individuals who have a moderate risk of cardiovascular disease due to genetics or lifestyle issues. It may also be useful for individuals who have an LDL count of 130 or less and meet other criteria that would normally exclude heart disease.
Crp Blood Test Normal Range
In most cases, the CRP blood test levels should be normal unless you have an underlying condition. This may be an injury or an autoimmune condition. That aside, doctors put the normal CRP blood test range at 3.0 mg/L or below. Anything with a CRP test positive higher may require additional tests.
- CRP Blood Test Normal Range 3.0 mg/L or below
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How To Treat And Prevent Elevated Levels
C-reactive protein treatment depends on what the underlying cause of the inflammation is. The best way to naturally treat high levels is to uncover the root cause of someones inflammatory response and then make lifestyle or medication recommendations based on that finding.
The same types of healthy habits that help protect against heart disease, such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking and exercising, are also usually involved in treatment for high CRP levels are.
1. Eat An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
In order to protect against the effects of inflammation on your heart and elsewhere, its recommended that you eat a whole-foods diet such as the Mediterranean diet. This type of nutrient-dense diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, fresh herbs, fish, whole grains, legumes and nuts.
Eating foods high in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, A and E, plusprobiotic foods can help to support your immune system. One study found that high intake of vitamin C helped to reduce CRP levels in people with levels greater than 1 mg/L.
Its also important to address any food allergies you may be suffering from, as well as to avoid foods that trigger flair-ups if you have inflammatory bowel disease. These foods can include: gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol and others depending on the person.
2. Get Regular Exercise
3. Talk to Your Doctor About Your Medication Use
If an infection is the root cause of your elevated CRP, then antibiotics may be needed to help you recover.
Why Knowing Hs Crp Levels Is Important
The proteins that are detected by the HS CRP blood test are only created when there is inflammation present within the body. This inflammation is believed to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of a blood vessel due to the build-up of fatty deposits because of high cholesterol levels.
Because of this, the ordering of the HS CRP blood test depends on risk factors that are present in a patient. Men who are younger than 50 and women younger than 60 may benefit the most from this specific proteins test because the regular testing methods may not pick up inflammation markers with lipid levels are in the normal range. People who have an LDL cholesterol level of less than 130 may also benefit from this test to have a more accurate picture of heart health.
Once the HS CRP blood test is ordered, it will usually be ordered at periodic times throughout the year to monitor protein levels.
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What The Hs Crp Blood Test Results Mean
When people are otherwise healthy, even with other screening tests for heart health, but have a high HS CRP blood test result, then this may be a predictive factor for a future heart health problem. This may include atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, heart attack, and even sudden cardiac death. Higher levels of HS CRP are directly linked to higher risk factors.
Please Note: Risk factors are not the same thing as a specific disease diagnosis. People with high risk factors for heart disease development may never develop heart disease or suffer a heart attack or stroke. People with low risk factors may develop heart disease or suffer from a sudden cardiac event.
Based on results that have been collected from previous HS CRP testing, these are the diagnostic ranges that are followed by medical providers in the US.
Anything below 1 mg/L is considered to be a low risk result. Average risks are seen in the 1-3 mg/L range. A high risk result is anything that is above 3 mg/L. There may be a consideration for very high rest results when anything above 5 mg/L is discovered.
The HS CRP blood test alone is not used as a foundation for a future heart disease development risk. These results are combined with several other test results for a complete diagnosis.
What Diseases Are Linked To High Crp Levels
Your CRP levels provide information about the presence of inflammation and your risk of heart disease. However, your CRP blood test result does not indicate a specific disease, as inflammatory activity is common in many medical conditions.
As a standalone test, a CRP blood test is not enough to come up with an accurate diagnosis. Instead, your doctor may request additional tests to determine the definitive cause of the immune response.
Nonetheless, there are several conditions associated with inflammation and, in turn, high CRP levels. The most notable ones are the following:
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