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What Is a C-Reactive Protein Test?

What Is a C-Reactive Protein Test? (0:55)

A C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a diagnostic blood screening for inflammation in the body. In this video, women's health specialist Donnica Moore, MD, explains what a CRP test indicates, and also defines the HSCRP test for cardiac inflammation.

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C-reactive Protein or CRP is a general test for inflammation throughout your whole body. It can reflect any infections, trauma, malignancies that you may not know about, auto-immune diseases, rheumatic or arthritic diseases and cardiovascular disease or the build up of plaque in your arteries. Now while CRP is a general test, there's a more specific type of CRP test called the HS-CRP, which is more specific or sensitive to the CRP that specifically reflects inflammation in your cardiovascular system.

What does that mean? That means it helps us gauge what kind of risk you may be at for heart disease, heart attacks or strokes. The CRP test is a simple blood test that can be done at the same time as any other screening or diagnostic blood test your physician may order.