A measure of inflammation; higher amounts may be seen in individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
A substance in the blood that is a measure of inflammation; higher amounts may be seen in individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.
A protein found in the blood of patients with inflammatory diseases; its presence can help determine the cause of rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of pneumonias or other upper respiratory infections.
A protein produced in the liver and released into the bloodstream when inflammation is present in the body. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) can be detected by a blood test. An increased level of CRP may indicate an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in some people. Inflammation is part of the disease process in atherosclerosis and other diseases. As an artery becomes inflamed with plaque, the level of CRP increases in the blood. In a person with elevated levels of CRP who has other risk factors for heart disease, a doctor will recommend the same treatments that help prevent heart disease to also help reduce the level of CRP.
The first acute phase protein identified. It binds with phospholipids on foreign substances, activates the complement system, stimulates the production of cytokines, and inhibits the production of oxygen radicals by neutrophils. Increased blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are present in many infectious and inflammatory diseases. CRP levels are sometimes followed to determine whether these diseases have been effectively treated.
A marker for inflammation of the blood vessels. It is recognized as increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
An inflammatory response triggers the production of a protein by the body. The measurement of this protein in the bloodstream serves as an assessment tool for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment for inflammatory conditions.