Could measuring C-reactive protein in your blood help evaluate coronary artery disease?

This study investigated whether a protein found in blood called C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with plaques seen in coronary artery disease. 

Coronary heart disease is a condition that occurs when the arteries that supply the heart muscles with blood (coronary arteries) become narrowed. This condition is often due to cholesterol deposits and hard plaques forming in the artery walls – a process known as atherosclerosis.

Early stages of atherosclerosis include signs of inflammation, such as CRP. Later stages of atherosclerosis include deposits of calcium which are visible as calcified plaques on coronary artery computed tomography (CT) scans.

As coronary artery disease advances, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles is significantly decreased. This can lead to heart failure where the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood efficiently. 

Measuring blood CRP levels have been used to help determine a person’s risk for developing coronary heart disease. However, it is not clear if measuring CRP may be able to estimate plaque burden or the type of plaque present as studies have showed variable results. 

This study investigated if CRP in a patient’s blood was associated with the level of plaque build up in coronary arteries.

CRP levels were measured in 2,653 patients who did not show any symptoms for coronary heart disease. The average age of patients was 55 years old. All patients underwent coronary artery CT scans as part of a general health checkup.

Coronary plaques were found in 1,150 participants, some of whom had calcified plaques, non-calcified plaques, or both. The investigators found those with higher CRP levels were nearly 2 times more likely to have non-calcified plaques and coronary artery narrowing (stenosis), compared to those who had lower levels of CRP. 

The study concluded that C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with non-calcified coronary artery plaques in patients without symptoms for coronary artery disease. Therefore, CRP may be used to help identify the presence of non-calcified coronary artery plaques and coronary artery disease. 

This study involved a single ethnic group in Korea who did not have symptoms for coronary artery disease, therefore, caution is required when applying these results to other ethnicities or patients who have symptoms for coronary heart disease. 

Consider talking to a doctor about measuring CRP blood levels, which may help identify the types of plaques present in your situatin.