High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. It measures low levels of inflammation in the body, which can be an early indicator of potential heart problems. The test is often used alongside other risk factors to evaluate a person's overall cardiovascular risk. 

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Inflammation in your body can raise your hs-CRP levels. This inflammation may be caused by things like obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or infections. Doctors  check hs-CRP to help assess your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.

Learn how to measure and address hs-CRP: What is hs-CRP?

Already tested? Understand your hs-CRP result

In general, lower hs-CRP levels suggest less inflammation in the body. Doctors often consider hs-CRP levels below 1 mg/L to be low risk for heart problems, while levels above 2 mg/L may suggest a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

Concerned about your levels? Take the Quiz to Find Out Your Risk

A high hs-CRP level means there is inflammation somewhere in your body. This can happen for many reasons, such as obesity, infections, smoking, diabetes, or high blood pressure. It can also be a sign of increased risk for heart attacks or strokes. If your hs-CRP is high, your doctor may look for the underlying cause and consider it when evaluating your heart health.

Concerned about your levels? Take the Quiz to Find Out Your Risk

Learn how to measure and address hs-CRP: What is hs-CRP?

The best way to lower hs-CRP is by reducing inflammation in your body. This may include making lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress, and treating conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. In some cases, your doctor may recommend medication.

Concerned about your levels? Take the Quiz to Find Out Your Risk

Learn how to measure and address hs-CRP: What is hs-CRP?

Not exactly. Swelling is one visible sign of inflammation — like when you twist your ankle and it puffs up. But inflammation can also happen inside the body, without any obvious symptoms. For example, the kind of inflammation linked to heart disease often occurs silently in the blood vessels. That’s why doctors may use blood tests like hs-CRP to help detect it.

Inflammation doesn’t always cause high cholesterol, but it can make cholesterol more harmful. Inflammation can affect how your body processes fats, and it may raise your risk by making cholesterol more likely to build up in your arteries. That’s why lowering inflammation - along with managing cholesterol - is an important part of protecting your heart.

 Inflammation can be controlled in several ways. Healthy habits — like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and managing stress — can all help reduce inflammation in the body. For some people, doctors may also recommend medications to manage inflammation more directly. Because inflammation can raise your risk for heart attacks and strokes, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the best approach for you.

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Inflammation can happen anywhere in the body — both on the outside and deep inside. You may notice it on the surface, like a swollen joint or skin irritation. But inflammation can also occur silently in places you can’t see, like your blood vessels, heart, or organs. This “hidden” inflammation is especially important because it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke without any obvious symptoms.

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or illness — but when it becomes long-lasting or “chronic,” it can do more harm than good. Chronic inflammation can damage blood vessels, increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, and make other health conditions worse. You may not feel it happening, which is why doctors sometimes use blood tests, like hs-CRP, to help detect it early and manage your risk.

Not sure if you are at risk? Take our 1-minute Inflammation Risk Quiz