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The C-reactive protein (CRP) test measures infection or inflammation in the body, and can indicate disorders such as lymph node cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. External factors such as medication or exercise can skew results. Elevated CRP levels can indicate heart attack risk, and patients may be advised to quit smoking and start an exercise program, and prescribed medication.
A C-reactive protein (CRP) test measures whether infection or inflammation is present in the body. CRP and infection could develop after surgery or when certain medical conditions exist. Blood tests help doctors evaluate CRP and infection to identify a disorder and assess whether treatment is working. More sensitive C-reactive protein tests could measure the risk of a heart attack from atherosclerosis, which indicates the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
CRP and infection could be from lymph node cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. Both conditions cause protein levels in the blood to be higher than normal. Tests could also indicate inflammatory bowel disease, a bone infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, or an immune system disorder. Symptoms of PCR and infection typically escalate rapidly when a disorder exists and return to normal when treatment starts working.
The connection between PCR and infection could help doctors diagnose patients and act as a guide for further testing. They commonly use the CRP test to confirm the existence of the infection and determine how the test results relate to other patient complaints. CRP and infection testing also prove useful for patients recovering from organ transplants and burns to evaluate treatment options.
While the test can provide valuable information, the link between PCR and infection could be influenced by a number of external factors. Some medications, including hormone replacement therapy drugs and birth control pills, could raise the level of C-reactive protein in your blood. CRP molecules could also be released in women using an intrauterine device to prevent pregnancy or during the latter stages of pregnancy. Higher CRP levels are also found in obese patients.
Lab tests for CRP and infection could become skewed if blood is drawn immediately after exercise. Physical activity tends to lower the level of blood proteins even in the presence of infection. Cholesterol-lowering medications and aspirin use could also lead to low CRP levels.
Scientists aren’t sure why C-reactive protein levels rise in patients with other risks of sudden heart attack. Patients who smoke, have high cholesterol or high blood pressure typically have an elevated C-reactive protein test in their blood. Some patients with fatty deposits in the arteries may also show elevated protein levels during the test. A highly sensitive CRP test measures heart attack risks.
Patients who have an elevated CRP test are commonly advised to quit smoking if they use tobacco and start an exercise program. Some patients are prescribed medications to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure if such health risks exist. In some cases, daily aspirin may be recommended.
