Which test, if elevated, would provide information about risk for developing coronary artery disease?

Which test, if elevated, would provide information about risk for developing coronary artery disease?

• A. Troponin
• B. CK-MB
• C. hs-CRP
• D. Myoglobin

Answer: (C)

Inflammation drives the development and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques, so a marker that reflects this low-grade, ongoing inflammation can help predict future risk of coronary disease. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein measures this persistent inflammation with precision and, when elevated, correlates with a higher likelihood of future coronary events even in people without symptoms. It adds predictive value beyond traditional risk factors like lipids and blood pressure, helping to stratify who might benefit from preventive therapies. In contrast, markers like troponin and CK-MB indicate current heart muscle injury, not long-term risk; myoglobin is an early, non-specific muscle injury marker and isn’t reliable for forecasting future coronary disease.

Inflammation drives the development and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques, so a marker that reflects this low-grade, ongoing inflammation can help predict future risk of coronary disease. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein measures this persistent inflammation with precision and, when elevated, correlates with a higher likelihood of future coronary events even in people without symptoms. It adds predictive value beyond traditional risk factors like lipids and blood pressure, helping to stratify who might benefit from preventive therapies.

In contrast, markers like troponin and CK-MB indicate current heart muscle injury, not long-term risk; myoglobin is an early, non-specific muscle injury marker and isn’t reliable for forecasting future coronary disease.