hs-CRP
A sensitive marker of low-grade inflammation in your body - used alongside cholesterol to sharpen your heart-risk picture.
TypeBlood biomarker
HowStandard blood draw. No fasting needed.
How oftenWhen assessing heart risk; often repeated once to confirm.
BeforeAvoid testing while sick, injured or after very hard exercise.
WhoAdults assessing heart risk, especially when cholesterol results are borderline.
Inflammation you can’t feel - but your arteries can
Low-level inflammation causes no symptoms, but it helps plaque grow and become unstable. hs-CRP picks up this quiet, background inflammation. It adds to cholesterol testing - it doesn’t replace it.
Standard CRP
“Is there an infection or flare?”
Detects large rises from infection or injury.
Acute
hs-CRP
“Is there low-grade inflammation?”
Picks up much smaller, long-term levels linked to heart risk.
Background
Repeat test
“Is it really raised?”
A cold or hard workout can raise it for days. Two readings a few weeks apart are more reliable.
Most reliable
What brings it down
01
Move daily
Regular activity lowers inflammation over time.
02
Trim waist fat
Fat around the middle is a major source.
03
Sleep well
Short or broken sleep raises it.
04
Don’t smoke
One of the strongest drivers of inflammation.
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- Your heart risk is borderline and you want more information.
- You have metabolic risk - excess weight, insulin resistance, poor sleep.
- You want to track whether lifestyle changes are lowering inflammation.
A better option if…
- You’re unwell or recently injured - CRP rises temporarily; wait a few weeks.
- You’re looking for a specific inflammatory disease - other tests like ESR or targeted antibodies are more useful.
How it’s measured
Lab blood draw
Ask for high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) - a standard CRP test isn’t sensitive enough at low levels.
The full picture
What is it?
C-reactive protein is made by the liver in response to inflammation. The high-sensitivity test detects the low levels linked to heart risk.
What type of test is it?
A blood biomarker.
What does it measure?
CRP concentration in mg/L.
Why might someone consider it?
Inflammation helps drive plaque. A raised hs-CRP can move someone’s risk up even when cholesterol looks acceptable.
Who is it most relevant for?
Adults whose heart risk is borderline or intermediate, and people with metabolic risk factors.
How is it performed?
A routine blood draw.
How often might it be considered?
Once for risk assessment, repeated to confirm a high result or to track change.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether chronic, low-grade inflammation may be adding to your risk.
What are its limitations?
It isn’t specific - colds, injuries, gum disease and hard training all raise it - so one result can mislead.
What should it be viewed with?
ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c, fasting insulin, waist size, sleep and recent illness.
Where to get it
Through your provider
The simplest route - often covered when there’s a clear reason.
Lab services
e.g. Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp.
Direct-to-consumer panels
e.g. Function Health, InsideTracker.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Should I have hs-CRP checked with my cholesterol?
- Was I unwell around the time of the test?
- If it’s raised, what’s the most likely driver for me?
- When should I retest?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your hs-CRP result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
Refer my providerAlready seeing your provider?
Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your hs-CRP result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test