Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide¹ and is closely linked to metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Understanding these connections is key to better prevention and care.

Inflammation

Inflammatory risk remains a major and largely untreated concern; therefore, it is crucial to distinguish between CVD patients with residual risk driven by traditional risk factors and those with risk driven by inflammation, using the biomarker hsCRP.¹

Connecting the clues

The evidence is mounting: inflammation is not only associated with increased CV risk and worse CV outcomes, it’s also a key suspect in CV death.^1,2

The link between hsCRP and CV risk

Prospective observational studies have shown that baseline hsCRP levels are associated with risk of CV events, both in healthy individuals and patients with stable CVD and acute MI.^4-15

Even in ‘healthy’ individuals, inflammation can be a hidden cause of death. hsCRP of 2 mg/L are linked to a 1.5X greater risk of vascular death vs hsCRP ≤1 mg/L.⁴ Furthermore, international guidelines are beginning to recognise and use hsCRP as a risk indicator, enhancer or modifier and for risk stratification in CVD.^‡17-23

The evidence is clear: hsCRP levels of ≥2 mg/L are associated with higher CV risk^{4, 16}

A Swedish study of real-world MI patients uncovered more evidence supporting the case against inflammation. As well as demonstrating the prognostic significance of hsCRP levels, the study found that most patients with MI exhibited elevated hsCRP levels.¹

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hsCRP is your early warning system. Use the prognostic biomarker hsCRP to identify CVD patients that may require intensified care²