hs-CRP

hs-CRP

hs-CRP stands for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and is a blood test that measures very low levels of a protein the liver makes when the body has inflammation. C-reactive protein rises when the immune system is active, so this test can detect small increases that routine tests might miss. Doctors use it to identify low-grade, chronic inflammation that doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms but can affect health over time. A higher result does not point to a single disease, but it signals that something in the body is causing inflammation and should be investigated. The test is quick and simple: a blood sample is taken and analyzed in a lab. Results can change with infections, injuries, or ongoing conditions, so clinicians interpret them alongside other tests and a person’s medical history. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, and stress can raise hs-CRP, which means many causes are modifiable. Because the test is not disease-specific, hs-CRP is most helpful when combined with cholesterol, blood pressure, and other measures to guide prevention or treatment decisions. Tracking hs-CRP over time can show whether lifestyle changes or medications are reducing inflammation and potentially lowering long-term health risks.