The
major topic of this article is discussing C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and its
relationship to stroke. In order to
determine whether a patient is at high risk for stroke, physicians have started
to measure their CRP levels. This test
is simple and inexpensive and should be used along with cholesterol
evaluation. An individual is at low risk
for stroke if their CRP results are less than 1mg/L. However, an individual is at a moderate risk
if CRP levels are between 1 to 3 mg/L, and at high risk if greater than 3mg/L.
Everyone’s
body produces CRP, but the amount produced depends on a variety of
factors. Several factors include
genetics, lifestyle habits, weight, and nutrition. Someone that is overweight and
has high blood pressure will exhibit higher levels of CRP than someone that is
fit and has lower levels of blood pressure.
CRP plays a role in inflammation, wound
healing, and warding off bacteria and viruses.
Studies show that too much inflammation can affect the blood vessels
that carry oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues of the body, leading to
stroke or heart attack. In addition, not
only can levels of CRP determine your risk for stroke, it can also be used to
determine your risk of developing type-2 diabetes. The authors mention, “Individuals with CRP
levels greater than 3mg/L have a risk of getting diabetes 4 to 6 times higher
than individuals with lower levels of CRP.” (Ridker)
As
I mentioned in class, I do not believe that measuring CRP levels is a good
indicator of stroke because CRP levels can also be influenced by other factors.
However, I do believe that people should have their CRP levels checked in order
to maintain relatively low levels of CRP, as high levels can be detrimental to
overall health. Also, the authors state,
“Elevated CRP levels predict risk over the next 30 to 40 years.” (Ridker)
Ridker, Paul M.
"Circulation." C-Reactive Protein: A Simple Test to Help Predict
Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke 108 (2003): E81-85. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
<http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/108/12/e81.full.pdf+html>.
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ReplyDeleteIn the articles we have read regarding CRP, we always mention that it changes according to many different situations. So I agree that a one-time CRP levels test wouldn't be a very accurate method for testing stroke risk. Blood pressure also changes frequently and that is used to diagnose hypertension. Of course for a diagnosis they take multiple readings over the course of 24 hours or so.
ReplyDeletePerhaps testing CRP once isn't effective for stroke prediction, but multiple tests over a period of time. If there is a consistently high level of CRP that may be a good indicator.
The CRP test could probably not a great indicator that the person may or may not have a stroke, I agree. From my experiences talking to the nurses in the emergency room and volunteering there, they only look at the readings of heart rate or blood pressure as a general guide line for that patient only since everyone is different and if one patient has a low heart rate, it doesn’t mean much since it could be their normal heart rate. It is the changes over time or irregular relatively low or high readings that care about since that can help them determine what the problems could be and how to approach the issue they are dealing with. So as Ann Barwig said “multiple tests over a period of time” would probably be the best to determine if the patient has the risk of having a stroke.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the top two comments about CRP levels. One time tests should no be indicative of stroke but high CRP for any reason is a bad indicator of overall health. I have seen in other classes how high CRP can lead to various different malfunctions of the body however, once example is in the case of metabolic syndrome. Overall, though, all of these diseases and symptoms in combination basically lead to the same thing, faster death.
ReplyDeleteI agree that CRP is not the best indicator to be used as the factor for risk of stroke. As mentioned in class through the discussions just the point that stress, being around smoke, consuming too much processed foods, and etc. could give a high CRP level in the test results shows that it is a very vague way of testing for the risks of stroke.
ReplyDeleteFor us physiology students if we were to be tested for CRP levels the day of an exam, they would be through the roof which would be wrong since we are hopefully all healthy! Since this isn't the most accurate test, it would be another way for the healthcare professionals to charge the patients who are not educated in this field.