High-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-crp) test

A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test measures the amount of CRP (C-reactive protein) in your blood. This test can help find out your risk of a heart attack and stroke. Your doctor will consider this test result along with other risk factors such as cholesterol, age, blood pressure, and smoking.

This test may be done to find out if you have an increased chance of having a sudden heart problem, such as a heart attack. But the connection between high CRP levels and heart attack risk is not understood very well.

A high level of CRP may mean a higher-than-normal risk of heart attack and stroke. Your CRP level can help you and your doctor make decisions about lifestyle changes and medicines that can lower your risk.

A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.

Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn't in the normal range may still be normal for you.

A high hs-CRP doesn't mean that you have a heart problem, but it may show a higher chance of having one. Other problems can also cause the level of hs-CRP to go up.