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C-reactive protein and target organ damage in untreated patients with primary hypertension

Elena Ratto1, Giovanna Leoncini, Francesca Viazzi

  • 1Department of Cardio-Nephrology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy.

Journal of the American Society of Hypertension : JASH
|April 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is linked to organ damage in hypertension. This inflammation marker predicts cardiovascular disease risk, highlighting its role in hypertension-related complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Inflammation Studies

Background:

  • High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor.
  • Asymptomatic organ damage often precedes cardiovascular events in hypertensive individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between hs-CRP levels and signs of organ damage in hypertensive patients.
  • To assess hs-CRP's association with left ventricular mass index (LVMI), albuminuria, and carotid atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 182 untreated primary hypertension patients.
  • Measured hs-CRP via immunonephelometry.
  • Assessed LVMI (echocardiography), albuminuria (albumin to creatinine ratio), and carotid atherosclerosis (ultrasonography).

Main Results:

  • Higher hs-CRP quartiles correlated with increased age, left ventricular hypertrophy, and carotid plaques.
  • Significant correlations found between hs-CRP quartiles and LVMI, carotid cross-sectional area, carotid plaques, and albuminuria.
  • After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP remained a strong correlate of target organ damage.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic microinflammation, indicated by hs-CRP, plays a significant role in atherosclerotic disease development in hypertension.
  • hs-CRP is a valuable marker for assessing organ damage and cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.

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