What Your hs-CRP Blood Test Indicates About Inflammation

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a critical biomarker that provides valuable insights into your body's level of inflammation. Understanding and regularly monitoring its levels can be a powerful tool for evaluating your overall health and detecting potential risks early on.

The hs-CRP test is more sensitive than the standard CRP test and can detect even slight increases in CRP levels that are within the normal range. This makes it a valuable tool for determining the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people who don't already have heart disease.

» Take control of your health—get your hs-CRP levels tested and stay proactive

What causes elevated hs-CRP levels

Elevated hs-CRP levels often reveal underlying inflammation in the body. Various factors, such as infections, poor lifestyle choices like diet, lack of exercise, and smoking, trigger it. They aggravate the state primarily by increasing oxidative stress or promoting adiposity or excess body fat.

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Health risks of persistently elevated hs-CRP

Consistently elevated hs-CRP levels have long-term impacts on health and longevity. They increase the risk for conditions such as:

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• Cardiovascular disease: Elevated hs-CRP indicates higher inflammation, which can lead to arterial plaque buildup that increases the risk of heart and blood vessel issues. [1]
• Diabetes: Chronic inflammation is also associated with insulin resistance and diabetes development. [2]
• Autoimmune disorders: High hs-CRP reflects ongoing inflammation, possibly worsening autoimmune disease progression. [3]

Persistent inflammation can also speed up aging and affect overall well-being. To reduce potential health risks, you should manage these levels through lifestyle changes or medical intervention.

Testing hs-CRP levels

The primary method for measuring hs-CRP levels is a blood test. A phlebotomist collects a sample from a vein in the arm and analyzes it in a lab using highly sensitive assays capable of detecting them. This method is effective because it can detect even minor increases.

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Beyond the standard lab blood test, there are currently no widely used alternative methods for measuring hs-CRP levels. There are only complementary analyses, such as:

• Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2): A marker of vascular inflammation associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
• Fibrinogen: A blood-clotting protein that can indicate inflammation and is linked to cardiovascular events.

» Know your numbers, improve your health—test your hs-CRP

hs-CRP reference ranges

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology [4] categorize hs-CRP levels as follows:



The organizations consider optimal hs-CRP levels to be under 2.0 mg/L for all adults. These ranges may vary due to underlying health conditions and genetics, but they're generally universal indicators of inflammation and disease risk.

Interpreting hs-CRP test results: Factors to account for

• Certain chronic inflammatory diseases—lupus and rheumatoid arthritis—cause persistently high hs-CRP levels. They may not directly reflect cardiovascular risk. 
• Statins and anti-inflammatory medication can lower CRP levels, masking increased hs-CRP. The doctor usually considers your medication history when interpreting the results.
• Obesity can affect testing as adipose tissues produce cytokines that increase CRP. 
• Age and sex can also affect the interpretation of these results, as CRP levels vary with age.

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How to manage inflammation and optimize hs-CRP levels

The best way to optimize your hs-CRP levels is to test regularly, know your results, and take targeted action based on personalized recommendations. Lifestyle factors can influence your overall inflammatory state. The key areas to focus on are diet and physical activity.

» Take control of inflammation: test your hs-CRP and optimize your health

Dietary changes

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids [7] may lower hs-CRP levels. On the other hand, increased sugar intake can increase them. [8]

The Mediterranean diet—known for its anti-inflammatory properties [7]—typically includes a high intake of:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Nuts
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Olive oil Wine (in moderate amounts)

» Discover key biomarkers to monitor on a very low-carb diet

Regular physical activity

Consistent exercise can lower hs-CRP and other markers of inflammation. [9,10] A study observed this effect, where workouts mobilized inflammation-countering T cells, known as Tregs, to improve the muscles' energy use and overall exercise endurance. [11]

» Find out if inflammation is affecting your training and recovery

Medications to reduce inflammation and hs-CRP levels

Statins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and lower hs-CRP levels, potentially decreasing cardiovascular risk.

But these treatments can have side effects:

• Statins may cause muscle pain, liver damage, and increased blood sugar
• NSAIDs can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney damage
• Corticosteroids might cause weight gain, bone thinning, and immune system suppression

Optimizing hs-CRP for better health

Understanding hs-CRP levels can teach you about your inflammation status and reveal your risk of cardiovascular disease. If they're elevated, adopting a healthier lifestyle is a necessity.

The proactive measures we mentioned reduce inflammation and improve overall health and well-being. We advise you to discuss hs-CRP results and possible interventions with a healthcare provider to tailor actions to individual health needs.

» Optimize your health—monitor your hs-CRP levels to take targeted action