Question

A patient has optimal LDL and HDL cholesterol values but an hsCRP test shows a value of 12 mg/L (low cardiovascular risk < 1.0 mg/L). Which is likely?

a. The patient has an underlying acute inflammation process.
b. CRP>10 mg/L signify underly acute inflammation such as infection.

Answer 1

An hsCRP level of 12 mg/L, coupled with optimal LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, likely indicates an underlying acute inflammatory process rather than cardiovascular risk, necessitating further medical evaluation.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who has optimal LDL and HDL cholesterol levels but presents with a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) value of 12 mg/L is likely dealing with an underlying acute inflammatory process. The hsCRP is a biomarker used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, and values below 1.0 mg/L indicate low risk. However, a value above 3.0 mg/L is associated with a higher risk, and a level above 10 mg/L typically indicates acute inflammation, possibly due to an infection or other causes of inflammation.

While LDL is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" and HDL as "good cholesterol," their optimal levels are less than 100 mg/dL for LDL and more than 40-50 mg/dL for HDL depending on gender. The function of HDL is to transport cholesterol to the liver for recycling, preventing plaque formation in the arteries. Despite the patient's favorable lipid profile, the elevated hsCRP suggests a need for further investigation into potential inflammatory diseases or conditions that could be affecting their health.