Blood tests & health checks
Heart screening
High-sensitivity CRP, an inflammation marker tied to heart risk
hs-CRPFinger prickResults in about 5 minutes
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein picks up the low-grade inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease. It can flag raised risk even when your cholesterol looks normal, which is why it is used alongside a lipid profile rather than instead of one.
Who it is for
- Anyone with a family history of heart disease or stroke
- People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes
- Smokers and recent ex-smokers
- Anyone who wants a fuller picture than cholesterol alone gives
Getting ready
Avoid the test within two weeks of an infection or injury, as both push the result up
Also called
Cardiovascular, High sensitivity CRP, Heart risk
What happens next
Results in about 5 minutes. The pharmacist goes through what the number means with you, and tells you plainly if it is something to take to your GP