Originally named for its ability to react with C-polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae, C-Reactive Protein, CRP, is a protein produced by the liver, the circulating concentration of which rises acutely and rapidly in a cytokine-mediated response to most forms of tissue injury, infection and inflammation. CRP may activate the classical complement pathway and stimulate tissue-factor production; a key protein involved in blood coagulation. This in turn may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease over time at CRP levels that were previously considered normal.

RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE

MODIFIABLE	NONMODIFIABLE
Smoking or exposure to environmental tobacco smoke	Male sex
Obesity	Age older than 50 years
Sedentary lifestyle	Family history of heart disease
Diabetes	Post-menopausal
High cholesterol or abnormal blood lipids	Race (African Americans, American Indians, Mexican Americans)
Hypertension
Poorly controlled stress and anger
High CRP
Diet (sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, refined sugar)