CRP is a protein that helps you fight infections. However, it is also a marker of low-grade inflammation and can help predict your heart disease risk. Keep reading to find out about health conditions associated with high and low CRP.Why is High C Reactive Protein (CRP) Bad?Signals Chronic InflammationApart from acute infection or injury, CRP points to chronic or systemic inflammation. Its levels rise in response to chronic stress [1].Many chronic conditions are marked by high CRP levels, including high blood sugar, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, gum disease, and heart disease [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].Increases Blood Vessel DamageCRP is not only a marker of inflammation, but it also worsens any underlying inflammation. In the lining of blood vessels, CRP lowers nitric oxide and prostacyclin release, which worsens blood flow, while increasing the inflammatory compounds (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and plasminogen activator inhibit...
