Several recent studies have shown that half of all heart attacks and strokes occur among people with normal cholesterol levels. In January of 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association presented guidelines for the use of inflammatory markers in cardiovascular disease and recommended for the first time the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a risk factor particularly among those deemed at intermediate risk by traditional screening tools such as the Framingham Risk Score. .
C-reactive protein is a special type of protein produced by the liver that is only present during episodes of acute inflammation. Many consider elevated CRP to be a positive risk factor for coronary artery disease. The amount of CRP produced by the body varies from person to person, and this is affected by an individual's genetic makeup and lifestyle. Higher CRP levels tend to be found in individuals who smoke, have high blood pressure, are overweight and don't exercise, whereas lean, athletic individuals tend to have lower CRP levels.
CRP can rise as high as 1000-fold with inflammation. Conditions that commonly lead to marked changes in CRP include infection, trauma, surgery, burns, inflammatory conditions, and advanced cancer. Moderate changes occur after strenuous exercise, heatstroke, and childbirth. Small changes occur after psychological stress and in several psychiatric illnesses. .
Clinical studies have shown that Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, exercise and low fat diet could lower C-reactive protein level and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
|
