High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
A sensitive inflammation marker used to assess cardiovascular and chronic disease risk.
Table of contents
Basic data
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that detects low levels of systemic inflammation. Unlike standard CRP tests used in acute infections, hs-CRP measures subtler elevations that may reflect chronic, low-grade inflammation.
Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the development of heart disease, metabolic dysfunction, cognitive decline, and other age-related conditions. Measuring hs-CRP can provide insight into hidden risk factors and guide lifestyle or protocol adjustments.
Category: Lab blood panel
Level: Intermediate
Usefulness: High
Level
Intermediate
Usefulness
High
Detect low-grade inflammation
Helps identify chronic inflammatory processes that may not present with symptoms — often missed by standard CRP tests.
Cardiovascular and longevity relevance
Elevated hs-CRP is linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and biological aging. Lower levels are associated with resilience and longevity.
How it works
Venous blood draw
A small sample of blood is drawn, usually fasting. The hs-CRP test uses high-sensitivity assays to detect small amounts of inflammation.
Interpreted in context
Results should be interpreted alongside lifestyle, symptoms, and other biomarkers (e.g. lipids, insulin resistance, IL-6 if available).
Measures
hs-CRP (mg/L)
<1.0 mg/L = low risk 1.0–3.0 mg/L = moderate risk >3.0 mg/L = high risk of cardiovascular and inflammatory disease
Trend over time
Single values may be affected by transient factors — tracking hs-CRP over time is more informative than one-off snapshots.
Reliability
High clinical validity
Strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and systemic inflammation in large population studies.
Sensitive to confounding factors
Values can be elevated due to recent exercise, infection, or stress — requiring careful context for accurate interpretation.
Limitations
Does not pinpoint cause
Elevated hs-CRP only indicates presence of inflammation — it does not reveal the source or mechanism.
Easily influenced
Can be temporarily elevated by infections, intense workouts, lack of sleep, or even high-fat meals.
Frequency
Suggested cadence
Once or twice per year when optimizing for longevity or cardiovascular risk. More frequent tracking may be useful when investigating inflammation-related symptoms or interventions.
Cost
Typical costs
$20–60 depending on lab and country. Often included in cardiovascular or longevity blood panels.
Availability
Where available
Broadly available through standard diagnostic labs. Specify "high-sensitivity" to ensure proper version is ordered.
Preparation
How to prepare
Fast for at least 8 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, or acute infections in the 24–48 hours prior to testing.
Interpretation
Persistent elevation
Sustained hs-CRP >1.0 mg/L may suggest ongoing low-grade inflammation — prompting lifestyle or medical investigation.
Acute spike
Sudden elevation may result from infection, injury, or stress. Re-testing after recovery helps confirm baseline.
Alternatives
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
A cytokine involved in inflammation — often used in research and advanced longevity testing, but less widely available clinically.
Oxidative stress markers
Advanced panels may include markers of oxidative damage and inflammatory cytokines — useful but more expensive and niche.
FAQ
What’s the difference between CRP and hs-CRP?
hs-CRP uses a more sensitive assay that detects lower levels of inflammation, making it better for chronic disease risk assessment.
Can I lower hs-CRP with lifestyle changes?
Yes. Exercise, anti-inflammatory diets, weight loss, stress reduction, and sleep optimization have all been shown to reduce hs-CRP.