Heart disease can be very serious due to the heart's critical function in providing blood and oxygen to the rest of the body. Because the heart is relatively unable to heal, scientists have developed tests to attempt to identify heart disease before it happens. One such test, known as the CRP test, can help determine a patient's risk for developing heart disease.
CRP Identification
MayoClinic.com notes that CRP (also known as C-reactive protein) is a protein that is produced by the liver. This protein is produced as a result of inflammation, which is one way that the immune system responds to certain kinds of injuries as well as infections. This protein can also be used as a screening marker for heart disease.
Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Inflammation can also be a sign of a condition known as atherosclerosis. With atherosclerosis, cholesterol builds up in the walls of the arteries. The American Heart Association explains that part of the process that causes the formation of these cholesterol-rich atherosclerotic plaques involves the body's inflammatory response. As such, markers of inflammation can potentially serve as a marker for atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease
The development of atherosclerosis can lead to heart disease in a few different ways. Atherosclerosis causes the arteries throughout the body to become narrowed and hard, which can lead to blood pressure being elevated. Over time, high blood pressure can weaken the heart by overworking it. Atherosclerotic plaques can also build up in the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle), leading to the heart receiving reduced blood flow. Finally, atherosclerotic plaques can break and cause blood clots to form, which can lead to a heart attack.
Applications
The American Heart Association notes that a specific test for CRP (the hs-CRP or high-sensitivity CRP test) is able to predict the risk of recurring heart disease for people with unstable angina or who have had a heart attack. This test also correlates with the patients' survival rates. CRP can also be used to predict whether a previously blocked artery will re-close after an angioplasty.
Limitations
A 2009 article published by CNN, titled "Study suggests C-reactive protein doesn't cause heart disease," notes that there are some limits as to the usefulness of the CRP test. Some patients have naturally higher or lower levels of CRP, and it does not appear that CRP directly plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, CRP does not indicate the source of the inflammation, which means that not all cases of elevated CRP are caused by atherosclerosis.
