Question 1

Why is hs-CRP high?

Accepted Answer

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?

Question 2

Plaque buildup in the arteries: How does it cause heart problems?

Accepted Answer

Plaque restricts blood flow. If the plaque bursts, it can trigger a clot that blocks the artery completely - causing a heart attack or stroke.

Question 3

How is inflammation controlled?

Accepted Answer

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. Ready to talk to a doctor? Schedule a telehealth appointment with a licensed provider

Question 4

Can inflammation cause high cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

hs-CRP ranges: What is considered low, moderate, or high risk?

Accepted Answer

Less than 1 mg/L = low cardiovascular risk. 1 to 3 mg/L = moderate risk. Over 3 mg/L = high risk. Values above 10 mg/L may reflect infection or other illness and should be retested. Unsure where you fall? Take the 1-minute assessment

Question 6

Statins: Do they help reduce inflammation as well as cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

No—statins are not approved to treat inflammation. They are designed and prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol. While they may reduce inflammation slightly as a side effect, this is not their main purpose, and the effect is often too small to fully address cardiovascular inflammation. If you have high hs-CRP, you may still be at risk even if your cholesterol is controlled. In those cases, your doctor may consider adding a treatment that specifically targets inflammation. Get the discussion guide

Question 7

Are inflammation and swelling the same thing?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What increases hs-CRP levels?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

Inflammation and heart disease: What should I ask my doctor?

Accepted Answer

Start by asking: Should I be tested for cardiovascular inflammation? Am I still at risk even though my cholesterol is controlled? Is there anything I can do to lower inflammation and protect my heart? To help you prepare for your appointment, we’ve created a simple Doctor Discussion Guide you can print or bring to your visit. Ready to talk to a doctor? Sch edule a telehealth appointment with a licensed provider

Question 10

What is the ideal hs-CRP level?

Accepted Answer

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? T ake the Quiz to Find Out Your Risk

Question 11

Residual inflammatory risk: What is it?

Accepted Answer

Residual inflammatory risk is the hidden inflammation that remains in your arteries even after lowering cholesterol. It continues to damage the arteries and increases the risk of future heart events.

Question 12

Anti-Inflammatory therapies: Are there medications that target hs-CRP?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since 2023, a new treatment has been approved in the U.S. to help reduce cardiovascular inflammation and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in certain patients. It works by targeting the underlying inflammatory processes in the arteries. A major clinical trial — the LODOCO2 Study — demonstrated that reducing inflammation in the arteries can significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes, even for patients already on cholesterol-lowering therapy. If you’re concerned about cardiovascular inflammation, you can talk to a doctor online to learn more.

Question 13

Residual inflammation: How do I know if I have it?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve already had a heart event — like a heart attack, bypass surgery, or stent — or if your cholesterol is under control but you’re still at risk, you may have residual inflammation. A simple blood test called hs-CRP can help detect hidden inflammation, but even without testing, your doctor can evaluate your risk based on your history and symptoms. Ask your doctor if inflammation might still be putting your heart at risk. Not sure where to start? Download our doctor discussion guide or Talk to a licensed provider online today

Question 14

How does inflammation effect me?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

CRP vs hs-CRP: What’s the difference and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

CRP is a general test for inflammation from infections or injuries. hs-CRP is a more sensitive test used specifically to detect subtle, long-term inflammation in the arteries. Only hs-CRP is useful for assessing cardiovascular risk. Ask your doctor for the right test. Download our doctor discussion guide

Question 16

Residual inflammatory risk: How can I reduce my risk?

Accepted Answer

You can lower inflammation with lifestyle changes like a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and stress reduction. In some cases, your doctor may recommend medication.

Question 17

hs-CRP thresholds: What level is considered dangerous?

Accepted Answer

An hs-CRP level above 3 mg/L means your risk of a cardiovascular event is significantly higher. If the level is above 10 mg/L, it may point to a temporary infection or serious underlying issue and should be evaluated further.

Question 18

Cardiovascular inflammation: How does it lead to heart attacks and strokes?

Accepted Answer

When your arteries are chronically inflamed, their inner lining becomes irritated and damaged. This damage encourages plaque buildup and makes existing plaque more likely to rupture.

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

Question 19

What is hs-CRP used for?

Accepted Answer

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. Check our Test & Treat page to understand more details.

Question 20

Where can inflammation occur in the body?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 21

Residual inflammation: What does it mean if I’ve already lowered my cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

Even with good cholesterol and blood pressure control, inflammation may still be present. This residual inflammation continues to pose a serious risk to heart health unless it’s identified and treated.

Not sure if you’re still at risk? Talk to a cardiovascular specialist

Question 22

hs-CRP reduction: How can I lower my levels naturally?

Accepted Answer

You can reduce inflammation by:

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.
Exercising regularly.
Quitting smoking.
Losing weight.
Managing stress and getting enough sleep.

Your doctor may also recommend medication if lifestyle changes aren’t enough.

Take action today: Find a doctor who can help

Question 23

Cholesterol treatment: Is it enough to prevent heart disease on its own?

Accepted Answer

No. While lowering cholesterol is essential, it doesn’t eliminate the risk. Many heart attacks occur in people with normal LDL because inflammation remains unaddressed. Both cholesterol and inflammation need to be treated.

Discover your full risk: Take the inflammation risk quiz

Question 24

Residual inflammatory risk: What is it and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Residual inflammatory risk refers to low-grade inflammation that remains in your arteries even after lowering cholesterol. This hidden inflammation continues to damage blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack or stroke—even when other health markers appear normal.

Think this could apply to you? Take our 1-minute Inflammation Risk Quiz

Question 25

hs-CRP levels: What does a high result mean for my heart?

Accepted Answer

A high hs-CRP level indicates low-grade inflammation that may be damaging your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke—even if you have no symptoms and normal cholesterol.

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

Question 26

Where can I find a cardiologist consultation near me?

Accepted Answer

You can speak with a licensed healthcare provider online - from the comfort of your home. If appropriate, they can evaluate your heart health and discuss whether LODOCO may be right for you. * Talk to a Doctor Now* You’ll be redirected to a secure third-party telehealth platform. Prescriptions are issued only if appropriate, at the provider’s discretion.

Question 27

hs-CRP: What is it and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a blood test that detects low levels of inflammation in the body. It is the most reliable marker for identifying cardiovascular inflammation and predicting future heart attacks or strokes.

Already tested? Understand your hs-CRP result

Question 28

Atherosclerosis: What is it, and how does it relate to inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis is when plaque (fatty deposits) builds up inside the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow. Inflammation makes this plaque more unstable - increasing the risk of a rupture that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Question 29

Myocarditis and pericarditis: How are they related to atherosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

These are short-term inflammatory heart conditions, but they share some of the same immune pathways involved in atherosclerosis. Inflammation from myocarditis can destabilize plaques, while pericarditis often reflects broader systemic inflammation that may also drive arterial plaque progression.

Question 30

Atherosclerosis: How does inflammation make plaque more dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation can weaken and destabilize the fatty plaques inside your arteries. If a plaque ruptures, it may cause a blood clot that blocks blood flow, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Question 31

How to lower hscrp fast?

Accepted Answer

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?

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiovascular Inflammation

hs-CRP thresholds: What level is considered dangerous?

−

Cardiovascular inflammation: How does it lead to heart attacks and strokes?

+

Residual inflammation: What does it mean if I’ve already lowered my cholesterol?

+

hs-CRP reduction: How can I lower my levels naturally?

+

Cholesterol treatment: Is it enough to prevent heart disease on its own?

+

Residual inflammatory risk: What is it and why does it matter?

+

hs-CRP levels: What does a high result mean for my heart?

+

hs-CRP: What is it and why is it important?

+

Atherosclerosis: What is it, and how does it relate to inflammation?

+

Myocarditis and pericarditis: How are they related to atherosclerosis?

+

Home

CV Inflammation

Doctor Discussion Guide

Talk to a Doctor

FAQ

News