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C-reactive protein in hypertension: clinical significance and predictive value

Giuseppe Schillaci1, Matteo Pirro

  • 1Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Disease, University of Perugia Medical School, Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, Piazzale Menghini, 1, IT-06132 Perugia, Italy. skill@unipg.it

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|September 19, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Mild elevations in C-reactive protein (CRP) predict cardiovascular events. CRP may be linked to hypertension development and progression, acting as a marker or causal factor in hypertensive disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Biology

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) elevations predict cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction and stroke.
  • CRP's prognostic value is complementary to blood pressure measurements in cardiovascular risk assessment.
  • Epidemiological studies suggest a link between hypertension and elevated CRP levels, with potential predictive value for future hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of C-reactive protein in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of hypertensive disease.
  • To connect inflammation pathways in hypertension with clinical evidence regarding CRP.
  • To elucidate CRP's role as a marker or causal factor in hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological evidence linking CRP and hypertension.
  • Summary of experimental findings on vessel wall inflammation in hypertension models.
  • Analysis of clinical studies investigating CRP in hypertensive disease.

Main Results:

  • Vessel wall inflammation is a feature of hypertension in animal models.
  • CRP is implicated in pathways contributing to endothelial dysfunction, increased vascular resistance, and arterial stiffness in hypertension.
  • Evidence suggests CRP may predict hypertension development and its complications.

Conclusions:

  • The precise role of CRP as a marker or causal factor in hypertension requires further elucidation.
  • Inflammation, involving CRP, is a significant aspect of hypertensive disease pathogenesis.
  • CRP's association with hypertension highlights the interplay between inflammation and cardiovascular health.

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