January 13, 2003

Presence Of C-Reactive Protein Signals Possibility Of Heart Attack, Stroke

Heart Institute and Metropolitan Medical Laboratories Offer Hs-CRP Testing 

Davenport, IA - The possibility of heart attack, stroke or type 2 diabetes may more than double if the blood vessels in your heart are inflamed. Recently, heart specialists have begun testing for this imflammation with the high sensitivity-C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) blood test. Results from ongoing national research through the Women's Health Study have sparked news stories about hs-CRP, giving credence to a growing body of evidence that suggests hardening of the arteries is an inflammatory process.

"Inflammation is the body's response to injury," Peter John Sharis, M.D., Cardiovascular Medicine, PC, said. "Many experts believe inflammation happens when fatty deposits build up in the lining of the arteries, causing them to harden."

Hs-CRP tests will be available during a special event, Saturday, February 1, from 7:30-10:30 a.m., at the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 East Rusholme Street, Davenport. Metropolitan Medical Laboratories will offer the hs-CRP test for $12; and a comprehensive blood panel for cholesterol, lipids and 12 other chemical tests for $20. Participants are asked not to eat 12 hours prior to these blood tests.

There is increasing evidence that the blood test hs-CRP, in addition to cholesterol and lipid tests, is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease. Hs-CRP may indicate first, or recurring cardiovascular events including those following angioplasty and stenting.

"Adding the hs-CRP test to your annual cholesterol test may significantly improve our ability to assess your risk for future cardiovascular events," said Dr. Sharis. "Though in order for the test to be reliable as a cardiac risk marker, a patient should not have had a recent infection, connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, active cancer, recent surgery or trauma. These conditions might lead to a false evaluation of the hs-CRP results."

Dr. Sharis will be giving a special presentation on this topic Saturday, February 1, from 9-9:30 a.m. He is one of four guest speakers at a free community event beginning at 7:30 a.m., at the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 East Rusholme, Davenport, Iowa.

For more information about heart disease or the upcoming event, log on to the Genesis Heart Institute Web site. Or call Genesis On Call at 421-2000 or 1-800-383-2575.