Women and Heart Disease > Special Issues
C-Reactive Protein
Strong Predictor of CVD
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been recognized as a predictor of heart disease.56,92,93 CRP is a strong independent risk factor for CVD,92,94 perhaps even stronger than LDL cholesterol level.93 Among women with no history of heart disease, those in the highest quartile of CRP levels are more than 5 times more likely to experience a cardiac event than those in the lowest quartile of CRP levels.92,94
Table 9. CRP Levels and Associated Cardiovascular Risk
CRP Differences by Race and Gender
Significant differences in elevated CRP levels have been associated with race and sex (Figure 11).56
Figure 11. Median CRP Levels by Race and Sex56
African-American women, who are at a higher risk for heart disease than other populations, have the highest prevalence of elevated CRP levels (58%).56 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to raise CRP levels.95 In a large study of postmenopausal women, CRP levels were significantly higher in HRT users compared with nonusers.95 |
Fat Distribution and Heart Disease in Women
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