What is hs-CRP?
What is the hs-CRP test?
​A simple blood test that measures hidden inflammation in your body - and reveals your risk of heart attack or stroke.
What hs-CRP Measures:
Your Body’s “Inflammation Alarm”
hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a protein your liver makes when there’s inflammation in your body. It acts like an internal smoke alarm - warning you that something is wrong, even if you don’t feel any symptoms.
Is hs-CRP the same as CRP?
A lot of people wonder this. CRP is a general inflammation test often used to detect infections or injuries. hs-CRP is a more sensitive version that’s specifically used to detect low-level inflammation linked to heart disease risk.
Why Cholesterol Tests Aren’t Enough:
You Could Still Be at Risk
Even if your cholesterol is well-controlled, you may still have dangerous levels of inflammation in your arteries. That’s why doctors now use hs-CRP to detect hidden cardiovascular risk that standard tests miss.
High cholesterol +
Normal hs-CRP
Still a Concern
Normal cholesterol +
High hs-CRP
​Elevated Risk
High cholesterol +
High hs-CRP
Highest Risk
What Do My Results Mean?
The hs-CRP test measures the level of inflammation in your body - specifically, the kind linked to heart disease risk. Results are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Here’s how doctors usually interpret the numbers:
Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Low Risk
Moderate Risk
High Risk
hs-CRP Value
< 1 mg/L
1.0–3.0 mg/L
3.0 mg/L
These ranges aren’t diagnostic on their own, but they can help identify people who may benefit from taking steps to lower inflammation.
Other factors - like infections, recent illness, or injury - can temporarily raise your hs-CRP levels. That’s why doctors usually interpret the test in context of your overall health.
How to Get Tested: Order Online or Ask Your Doctor
Getting an hs-CRP test is easy in the U.S. You can either:
-
Ask your doctor to add it to your next blood test
-
Order it directly from major labs like Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or Everlywell - no prescription needed in most states
