C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that increases in the blood with inflammation and

infection as well as following a heart attack, surgery, or trauma. Studies have suggested that a

persistent low level of inflammation plays a major role in atherosclerosis, the narrowing of

blood vessels due to build-up of cholesterol and other lipids, which is often associated with

cardiovascular disease (CVD). The hs-CRP test accurately measures low levels of CRP to

identify low but persistent levels of inflammation and thus helps predict a person’s risk of

developing CVD.