C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. In healthy individuals, CRP levels typically are low, averaging around 0.8 mg/L. When the body is responding to infection, injury, or autoimmune activity, CRP levels can rise significantly—with levels above 10 mg/L often indicating acute inflammation or active disease. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) testing enables detection of chronic, low-grade inflammation, which may contribute to long-term damage in cardiovascular, metabolic, and other systems. In our model, CRP emerged as a top predictive marker for cardiovascular health, with observed values aligning closely with the American Heart Association’s hs-CRP cardiovascular recommended thresholds. While not disease-specific, CRP remains a valuable tool for monitoring inflammatory activity and treatment response in clinical settings. [64]

[64]Pearson TA, Mensah GA, Alexander RW, et al. Markers of Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation. 2003;107(3):499-511. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000052939.59093.45