Is C-reactive protein an independent risk factor for essential hypertension?
CONTEXT: C-reactive protein (CRP), predicts coronary heart disease incidence in healthy subjects and has been associated with decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation, a potential risk factor for hypertension. However, the relationship between CRP and hypertension has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether circulating levels of CRP are independently related to essential hypertension. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population survey. We measured circulating levels of CRP, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors among participants. Binomial regression was used to calculate the adjusted effect of CRP on the prevalence of hypertension. SETTING: General community of Bucaramanga, Colombia. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 300 subjects > or = 30 years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Arterial blood pressure. RESULTS: Overall hypertension prevalence was 46.0%. The unadjusted prevalence of hypertension was 58.7% in the highest quartile of CRP, but only 34.7% in the lowest quartile. After ad
Related Questions
- I recently read that a high level of C-reactive protein in the blood is a risk factor for heart attack. Should I ask my doctor for this blood test during my next physical?
- Is C-reactive protein an independent risk factor for essential hypertension?
- Is elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?