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C-reactive protein (CRP)
CRP can easily be detected by a blood test. Elevations of CRP may indicate increased risk for heart attack and stroke in some people. This is because heart attacks and strokes are associated with increased levels of plaque in the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart). Increased plaque in the arteries causes inflammation, which in turn, causes CRP levels to rise.
Because increased CRP is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, doctors look to see if the levels are decreasing when treating patients with risk factors for heart disease. Treatments for heart disease, such as exercise, diet, and medications, help reduce CRP levels.
A protein that is produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream as a response to inflammation in the body. The liver is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for filtering (removing) harmful chemical substances, producing important chemicals for the body, and other important functions.
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