High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

The development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is multifactorial and driven in part by mediators of inflammation. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is the most commonly used inflammatory biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment, based largely on its ability to independently predict future cardiovascular events. In primary prevention, it serves as a risk enhancer to help guide decision making about statin use; in secondary prevention, it can help identify residual inflammatory risk among those treated with seemingly optimal medical therapy. While many anti-inflammatory therapies exist, their future use in clinical practice will depend on additional data related to efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Until then, statin therapy and optimization of lifestyle habits remain the mainstay of cardiovascular risk reduction.