Which biomarker is elevated in this patient and is used to assess systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk?

Which biomarker is elevated in this patient and is used to assess systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk?

• A. C-reactive protein
• B. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• C. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
• D. Fibrinogen

Answer: (C)

High-sensitivity CRP is used to detect very low levels of inflammation that contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. By measuring CRP at these low concentrations, it helps stratify long-term risk even when there isn’t an acute inflammatory illness. Regular CRP tests pick up only higher, acute inflammation and aren’t as useful for chronic, low-grade inflammation linked to heart disease. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a broad, nonspecific marker that can be influenced by many factors and isn’t specifically tied to cardiovascular risk. Fibrinogen can be elevated with inflammation and is linked to thrombosis risk, but high-sensitivity CRP is the preferred, widely used marker for assessing systemic inflammation in the context of cardiovascular risk.

High-sensitivity CRP is used to detect very low levels of inflammation that contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. By measuring CRP at these low concentrations, it helps stratify long-term risk even when there isn’t an acute inflammatory illness. Regular CRP tests pick up only higher, acute inflammation and aren’t as useful for chronic, low-grade inflammation linked to heart disease. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a broad, nonspecific marker that can be influenced by many factors and isn’t specifically tied to cardiovascular risk. Fibrinogen can be elevated with inflammation and is linked to thrombosis risk, but high-sensitivity CRP is the preferred, widely used marker for assessing systemic inflammation in the context of cardiovascular risk.