In this presentation Dr. Koenig addresses some commonly encountered questions about C-reactive protein (CRP) and the significance of high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) testing in clinical practice.

CRP is a molecule produced by the liver in response to inflammation, and is referred to as a marker of inflammation. Several risk factors have been linked with the future development of heart disease, and hs-CRP levels have been found to predict the risk of future heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

CRP testing has been used for many years to monitor infections, and for this purpose a test that could measure levels of 10mg/L and above was adequate. The recently developed hs-CRP test can detect levels much lower than 10mg/L, making it sensitive enough to provide information about cardiovascular risk, and Dr. Koenig explains what the hs-CRP test results mean.

hs-CRP testing may be done concurrently with cholesterol screening, making use of the same blood sample. Dr. Koenig concludes his presentation with a discussion of which people should have their hs-CRP levels measured.

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After viewing this presentation you will be able to understand:

- What the hs-CRP test results mean in terms of cardiovascular risk
- Factors affecting CRP levels
- The role of CRP in diabetes and the metabolic syndrome
- Which people should be tested for hs-CRP