Heart & arteries
hsCRP High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
A sensitive inflammation marker used in cardiovascular-risk context - chronic low-grade elevation can flag silent inflammatory load.
In short
- What is measured
- C-reactive protein is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation.
- What the value shows
- Chronically elevated hsCRP is associated with higher long-term cardiovascular risk, independent of cholesterol.
- Reference range
- < 1.0mg/L
What it is
The basics
C-reactive protein is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation. The "high-sensitivity" assay (hsCRP) can detect the very low concentrations that matter for chronic, low-grade inflammation - the kind that contributes to arterial disease over years, well below the level that traditional CRP tests can see.
What it tells you
Why this marker matters
Chronically elevated hsCRP is associated with higher long-term cardiovascular risk, independent of cholesterol. It is also a non-specific marker - an acute infection, recent injury, or even an intense workout can transiently push it up - which is why one isolated reading is less informative than a trend or a repeat measurement.
Reference range
Where the typical ranges sit
Optimal < 1 mg/L; intermediate 1–3 mg/L; high > 3 mg/L (for cardiovascular-risk context).
For cardiovascular-risk stratification the commonly used thresholds are: low risk < 1.0 mg/L, average risk 1.0–3.0 mg/L, high risk > 3.0 mg/L. Values above 10 mg/L usually indicate active inflammation or infection and are not interpretable as a chronic-risk marker until they normalise.
Reference ranges differ between laboratories and guidelines. Your CHIRAYOU report uses the range reported by the analysing laboratory, and your interpretation should be discussed with a physician.
What affects it
Common influencers
- Acute illness, infection, or injury (transient large rises)
- Body weight and visceral fat (chronic baseline elevation)
- Smoking and excessive alcohol intake
- Sleep quality and chronic stress
- Periodontal disease and other chronic infections
- Hormonal factors (e.g. oral oestrogens, pregnancy)
When to follow up
If your value is outside the range
If hsCRP is elevated and you have no obvious acute infection, the useful step is a repeat in a few weeks to confirm the result is not transient. A persistently elevated value should be discussed with a physician - particularly in the context of other cardiovascular markers like ApoB.
