CORONARY HEART DISEASE

C-Reactive Protein Tests

Coronary Heart Disease can be detected early with C-Reactive Protein Tests. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver and its levels increase during periods of inflammation. Though not condition specific, inflammation is a significant indicator of health problems such as coronary heart disease. Early detection of coronary heart disease is possible with a C-Reactive Protein Test.

Many factors can cause an increase in a person's CRP levels (osteoarthritis, cancer, a common cold or other infections) but in the absence of any specific disease, an increased CRP level poses a significant risk of coronary heart disease. Elevated levels of CRP is the first indicator of heart disease recommended by the American Heart Association in over 20 years and can be detected with a high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Test (hs-CRP).

The New Century Diagnostics hs-CRP Test

The New Century Diagnostics high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Test combines the convenience of a home sample collection with the accuracy of a certified clinical laboratory determination.

The hs-CRP Test adds an important additional piece of information to a doctor's traditional assessment of overall cardiac health. When the arteries around the heart become inflamed by atherosclerosis, a person's CRP levels become elevated. Even in the absence of traditional blockages, inflamed artery walls can become softened and develop weak areas that can suddenly rupture. Plaque also develops more quickly in inflamed arteries, increasing the risks of heart attack or stroke.

The major factors that promote coronary heart disease - cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and high blood sugar - are well established. These risk factors give rise to a variety of noxious stimuli that cause the release of chemicals and the activation of cells involved in the inflammatory process. These events are thought to contribute not only to the formation of plaque but may also contribute to its disruption resulting in the formation of a blood clot. Thus, virtually every step in the development of plaque is believed to involve substances involved in the inflammatory response and cells that are characteristic of inflammation.

Healthy men and women with normal cholesterol levels are still at risk for future heart attack if they have elevated levels of CRP. A person's CRP levels are elevated for a reason - and that reason quite often is inflammation of the artery walls. According to the American Heart Association, scientific studies have found that the higher the CRP level, the higher the risk of having a heart attack. In fact, the risk for heart attack in people in the upper third of CRP levels has been determined to be twice that of those whose CRP level is in the lower third.

• If CRP level is lower than 1.0 mg/L, a person has a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• If CRP is between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L, a person has an average risk.
• If CRP is higher than 3.0 mg/L, a person is at high risk.

If your cardiovascular risk score (judged by the American Heart Association Risk Assessment) is low (the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease is less than 10 percent in 10 years), an hs-CRP Test is not warranted. If your risk score is in the intermediate range (10–20 percent in 10 years) or higher, an hs-CRP Test can help predict a cardiovascular or stroke event and help direct further evaluation and therapy.

C-reactive protein levels are used mainly as an indication of inflammation. Measuring and charting C-Reactive Protein levels can prove useful in determining disease progress or the effectiveness of treatments. Blood has been traditionally collected in a serum-separating tube and analyzed in a medical laboratory. Landmark Diagnostics has developed a revolutionary new way to collect, store, and transport micro-sample blood specimens for laboratory analysis using a patented blood collection card. It supersedes all previous collection methods in its ease of use and accuracy.

The New Century Diagnostics high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Test provides the same clinical results that can be obtained from a local laboratory, but without the inconvenience of keeping an appointment and the need to draw blood from the arm. The process is very quick and virtually painless.

A special finger lancet is supplied in the Blood Collection Kit. With it, four drops of blood are taken from a micro-nick of the finger, placed on a special collection card to dry, inserted into the special mailer provided, and then sent (postage paid) to New Century Diagnostics' CLIA certified laboratory for analysis. Test results are mailed to you in approximately 5 days.

Results are promptly sent back to the person who took the test and/or that person's designated health care professional. The hs-CRP Test is accurate, private, convenient, easy-to-use and reasonably priced at $29.90. Everything is included, there are no extra charges.

The New Century Diagnostics high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Test - the accuracy of a laboratory in the privacy of your home.

Read complete test instructions Heart CRP Protein Test Instructions

View a sample lab report CRP Test Lab Results

1. Print name and date on the AdvanceDx100 sample card

2.  Wash hands with warm water and dry thoroughly

3. Remove blue tip from lancet and hold lancet steady, press down until it clicks then release

4. Drip blood from fingertip to fill the box on collection card - about 4 drops

5. Allow collection card to air dry for 60 minutes

6.  After card is dry, tear open blood sample return bag and insert card and seal.  DO NOT remove the desiccant from the blood sample return bag.

7.  Peel the Test Request Form label and place label on the sealed blood sample return bag and place in preaddressed, prepaid mailing envelope

8.  Test results will be returned via US Mail