The blood chemical called C-reactive protein (CRP)–an indicator of inflammation–is elevated in many heart disease patients. A new study of people who died suddenly of various causes finds that those who succumbed to a heart attack had an abundance of CRP in the blood, even though few had had outward signs of heart problems.
The finding bolsters the case for using CRP as a diagnostic tool to detect heart ailments because autopsies revealed that high CRP concentrations in blood coincide with the presence of dangerously unstable atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries.
Note: To comment, Science News subscribing members must now establish a separate login relationship with Disqus. Click the Disqus icon below, enter your e-mail and click “forgot password” to reset your password. You may also log into Disqus using Facebook, Twitter or Google.