ACC: New Screening Blood Test

What this episode covers

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DPa5RHQADaY/Just out.  The American College of Cardiology is urging one and all adults and their medical teams to include the test for general body and cardiovascularinflammation in the annual testing battery.  That test is the high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein or hsCRP.  The hsCRP test measures low grade body inflammation.  Elevated test numbers predict the untimely occurrence of heart attacks, strokes, and death due to cardiovascular disease as predictably as bad cholesterol levels even if your cholesterol numbers are excellent.The test results are as simple as 1, 2, 3.  Less than 1 mg/L indicates low risk, 1-3 mg/L implies an average risk, and greater than 3 bodes ill for you. If your magic number is above 3, you probably already know why.  Here’s chart that runs down the list: smoking; overeating with belly bulges; high cholesterol and triglycerides; high blood pressure; gum disease; and infection.The antidotes to get those hsCRP numbers down: exercise; fruits, veggies, and nuts; oily fish; and moderation of your drinking.https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2016/02/18/14/33/a-test-in-context-high-sensitivity-crp#inflammation #cardiovascular #hsCRP #screening #heartattack #stroke

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