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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will discuss what your CRP test result means.
If you're having a CRP test to evaluate your risk of heart disease, these are the current risk levels used:
- Low risk. You have a CRP level of less than 1.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
- Average risk. You have a CRP level between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/dL.
- High risk. You have a CRP level greater than 3.0 mg/dL.
Keep in mind that these risk levels aren't a definitive measure of your risk because there's disagreement on whether a high CRP level is a true risk factor for heart disease.
A test result showing a CRP level greater than 8 mg/dL is a sign of serious inflammation or infection, and you should talk to your doctor about your test result to check for other medical problems.
It's possible your doctor will suggest more tests, such as a cholesterol test, a stress test or a coronary angiogram, to further look into your coronary artery disease risk. He or she may also recommend lifestyle changes or medications to decrease your risk of a heart attack.
- Greenland P, et al. ACCF/AHA guideline for assessment of cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2010;122:e584.
- Using nontraditional risk factors in coronary heart disease risk assessment. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf09/riskcoronaryhd/coronaryhdrs.htm. Accessed Oct. 4, 2011.
- Morrow DA. C-reactive protein in cardiovascular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 4, 2011.
- Morrow DA. Screening for cardiovascular disease with C-reactive protein. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 4, 2011.
- hs-CRP. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hscrp/tab/test#. Accessed Oct. 4, 2011.
- Abd TT, et al. The role of C-reactive protein as a risk predictor of coronary atherosclerosis: Implications from the JUPITER trial. Current Atherosclerosis Reports. 2011;13:154.
- Laboratory reference values. C-reactive protein, high sensitivity values. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. July 2011.
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