What does elevated CRP mean? How to lower CRP? |

What does elevated CRP mean?

CRP can be tested in a laboratory test. Most of us, at least once in our lives, had the level of this protein determined, if only to confirm the type of disease and use appropriate medications. However, it turns out that this inflammatory marker is also a risk of cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, an increased index of C-reactive protein was observed in adolescents and young adults with atherosclerosis. Higher CRP with increasing blood glucose levels increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in men with type 2 diabetes, and higher CRP and periodontal disease are associated with the development of carotid atherosclerotic lesions.

Based on the above data, the CRP study is recommended for people at moderate risk according to the Framingham Overall Risk Stratification Scale for cardiovascular events over the next 10 years.

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years can be calculated at: www.framinghamheartstudy.org. The results show the impact of modifying individual risk factors on the reduction of coronary risk.

The norm of C-reactive protein in the blood

When determining the level of CRP, antibodies against this protein are used. The normal range is 1-5 mg/l. For newborns, a short-term change in the upper limit of normal up to 12 mg / l is acceptable. The excess of these indicators indicates the development of tissue damage in the body, the cause of which needs to be clarified.

It is incorrect to talk about low values ​​of C-reactive protein, since the protein can normally be completely absent in plasma and increase only with pathological effects.

C-reactive protein is elevated in the blood: the main causes

The main reasons for the increase in CRP are:

What affects the level of C-reactive protein?

An increase in the concentration of C-reactive protein is facilitated by excessive physical activity preceding the study, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, high levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, obesity, pregnancy, the presence of implants and prostheses in the body, long-term hormonal therapy, including oral contraceptives.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroids, statins, adrenoblockers provide a decrease in the content of CRP. Against the background of taking drugs of these groups, it is possible to obtain inaccurate results.

High Sensitivity CRP (cardio)

It has been established that C-reactive protein is able to respond even to a slight, sluggish endogenous inflammation in the wall of blood vessels, which will subsequently be the cause of atherosclerosis. Of course, the change in the content of CRP in plasma in such a situation is not so significant compared to the shifts in the indicator in infectious diseases or injuries, and it is necessary to use high-precision methods to determine it, but this property has found its practical application in cardiology to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. in the future (cardio risk). In this case, the indicator is called highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP highly sensitive, high sensitivity CRP, hs-CRP) and reflects fluctuations in protein concentrations in a narrow range of normal values. For assessing cardiac risk, the range of 0–1 mg/l is considered normal, and if a CRP concentration of less than 1 mg/l is detected, the risk is assessed as low, 1–3 mg/l is moderate, and more than 3 mg/l is high. When determining the level of CRP more than 10 mg/l, it is necessary to exclude the infectious nature of these changes. The study should be carried out in a period of full health after 2-3 weeks after the completion of acute or exacerbation of chronic diseases.

As a rule, the highly sensitive CRP indicator is assigned to relatively healthy people over 40 years of age in order to assess the risk of developing hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke. This allows you to start preventive measures in a timely manner and prevent, or at least delay, the appearance of the above pathologies. Highly sensitive CRP is usually not detected in people who automatically belong to the high and very high risk group (patients with pre-existing diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, etc.). For a more accurate assessment of cardiac risks, it is recommended to determine markers of myocardial damage (CK, CK-MB, troponins, etc.) together with CRP.

The level of CRP in the blood: what can indicate?

Based on the level of CRP, it is possible to suggest the etiology of tissue damage or inflammation. So, with viral infections, chronic diseases in remission, the reactive protein usually rises to 20-25 mg / l, with infections of a bacterial nature, tumors, exacerbation of chronic pathology – up to 60-70 mg / l or more. With the generalization of the infectious process (sepsis, meningitis, peritonitis), burns, CRP can reach 300-400 mg / l.
After surgical interventions, injuries, an increase in protein to 100-250 mg / l is allowed. If after 5-6 days there is no dynamics to decrease or an increase in CRP is noted, it is possible to speak with a high degree of probability of bacterial contamination and the development of complications (pneumonia, abscess, thrombophlebitis), which requires the appointment of antibiotic therapy.

In rheumatology, the indicator of this protein is used to assess the degree of activity of autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, scleroderma).
As a rule, the level of CRP correlates with the severity of changes in organs and tissues and the stage of the disease, that is, high protein values ​​correspond to a large amount of inflammation or necrosis and the stage of exacerbation of the pathology, and vice versa, with low CRP numbers, slight changes are noted, transition to the stage of remission.

How to pass the analysis for CRP?

For research, venous blood is used. Determination of the level of C-reactive protein is usually carried out on an empty stomach after 10-12 hours after the last meal. Before the study, it is not recommended to drink coffee, tea, juice. It is acceptable to drink non-carbonated water. Also within 2-3 days it is necessary to refrain from physical exertion and emotional stress. If possible, stop smoking 3 hours before blood sampling. When using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroids, statins, which can reduce the level of CRP, it is necessary to notify the attending physician.

Blood test for C-reactive protein: the main objectives of the study

The CRP indicator is determined by:

How to lower CRP?

CRP concentration greater than 3 mg / l is associated with an increase in the number of cardiological problems. Following the proper dietary recommendations will help us reduce this dangerous tendency. Here are the top 5 tips:

1. Controlling glycaemia, as discussed in detail in our article on diabetes.

2. Avoidance of products rich in saturated fatty acids, which have long been considered, among others. raising cholesterol, especially LDL fraction. Belongs reduce the amount of fatty meat, offal, junk food, processed dishes in the diet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFDB_dk_Gk

What diet to lower CRP?

3. Increase the amount of dietary fiber in your diet. A lot of fiber is found in vegetables, whole grains, groats and nuts.

4. Regular consumption of folate-rich foods, ie leafy greens, legumes, whole grains.

5. Increasing the consumption of fish and nuts, which are rich in the valuable amino acid – arginine.

6. Reduce your consumption alcohol to a minimum. People who are not able to do it completely should enrich their diet with fish oil and vitamin E (vegetable oils – soybean, corn, sunflower, nuts, almonds, eggs, carrots, nuts, wheat germ, whole grain flour, milk, green-leaved vegetables).

These few simple tips will help reduce your C-reactive protein levels and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

And you, what are the ways to lower CRP naturally? Let me know in the comments!