CRP (hs-CRP)(hsCRP)

The American Heart Association cardiovascular risk categories for hs-CRP are: under 1 mg/L (low risk), 1 to 3 mg/L (intermediate risk), over 3 mg/L (high risk). The JUPITER trial demonstrated that statin therapy reduced major cardiovascular events in patients with normal LDL but elevated hs-CRP, establishing inflammation as an actionable cardiovascular target independent of cholesterol. Beyond cardiology, persistently elevated hs-CRP is associated in cohort data with higher all-cause mortality, greater frailty, increased dementia risk, depressed mood, and impaired exercise recovery. Common drivers in otherwise-healthy men include visceral adiposity, poor sleep, untreated periodontal disease, chronic alcohol use, untreated sleep apnea, and persistent overtraining. Hs-CRP is exquisitely sensitive to acute insults. A cold, a recent vaccination, a hard training session, dental work, or even a poor night's sleep can drive the value tenfold or more for a week. A meaningful baseline requires drawing during a stable period: at least 7 days from any acute illness, hard workout, or injury. A single high value is rarely actionable; the pattern across two or three draws over months is what guides decisions. Optimal target for most longevity-focused men is under 1 mg/L on serial measurement.