Heart Transplant Doctor Reveals Crucial Blood Test That Can Predict Heart Attack: It Is Not Cholesterol Test

Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death all over the world. The World Health Organization noted an estimated 17.9 million lives are lost every year to cardiovascular diseases. Four out of five of these deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes. Too often heart attacks come ‘out of nowhere’. People explain how their cardiac events caught them by surprise because things like cholesterol silently affect their arteries, and they do not realize how quickly their heart health deteriorates. However, it doesn’t have to be a surprise, there are tests that can reveal your risk of cardiac events. In a recent video, cardiologist Dmitry Yaranov, MD shared a video explaining how there is a test that can help you predict an heart attack, and no, it is not the cholesterol test. “CRP — C-reactive protein — is a marker of inflammation, and high levels are linked to up to 3x higher risk of heart attack. And here’s the twist: your cholesterol could be “normal”… and CRP still dangerously high.” he explained in the video caption. What is C-reactive protein Test? The MedlinePlus explained that this test is for C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein made by your liver in response to inflammation. While traditional CRP tests are used to detect significant inflammation from things like infections or injuries, doctors use a more sensitive version, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), to pick up on the subtle, chronic inflammation linked to heart disease. Inflammation is your body's natural defense system. It's the way your body protects and heals itself from injuries, infections, or diseases. When you get a cut, the area becomes red and swollen—this is acute, or short-term, inflammation at work, fighting off infection. This process also happens inside your body to combat germs or harmful substances. However, if inflammation lasts too long, it can start damaging healthy tissues. This is known as chronic, or long-term, inflammation. It can be caused by autoimmune disorders, repeated injuries, or exposure to environmental factors like smoking or pollution. When Is The Right Time To Get CRP Test Your doctor may order a CRP test to check for inflammation in your body. High levels of CRP can indicate various health issues, including: Infections: Both bacterial and viral infections can raise your CRP levels.Inflammatory bowel diseases: Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitisAutoimmune disorders: Diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.Lung diseases: Conditions like asthma. You might need this test if you have symptoms of an infection, such as a fever, rapid heart rate, or nausea. It is also used to monitor chronic conditions, check for infection after surgery, or guide treatment for serious conditions like sepsis. As your inflammation goes down, your CRP levels will decrease, showing that your treatment is working. How Is The Test Conducted? A healthcare professional will take a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The process is quick, usually taking less than five minutes, and you may only feel a slight sting. Before the test, be sure to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking, as some can affect the results. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication unless your doctor tells you to. The test itself has very few risks; you may experience some minor pain or bruising at the site where the needle was inserted. What Do High Levels Of CPR-Test Signify? In a healthy person, CRP levels are generally very low—usually 0.8-1.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less. An increase above this range indicates inflammation in your body. However, elevated CRP levels can also be influenced by other factors such as: InsomniaDepressionObesityHormone replacement therapyBiological sex: Females often have slightly higher CRP levels than males.A CRP test shows that you have inflammation, but it does not tell you what is causing it or where it is located. Your doctor will consider your CRP results along with other lab tests, symptoms, and medical history to make a diagnosis. You may hear about a similar test called a high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test. While both tests measure CRP, they are used for different purposes. The hs-CRP test is much more precise and can detect very small increases in CRP levels. It is primarily used to help doctors estimate a person's risk for heart disease.

Heart Transplant Doctor Reveals Crucial Blood Test That Can Predict Heart Attack: It Is Not Cholesterol Test

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