Understanding Heart Disease

Plus, there are also differences in baseline levels based on race and gender. For instance, women tend to have higher baseline levels of CRP than men. Studies also find women on oral hormone therapy have CRP levels significantly higher than those of nonusers, regardless of other risk factors. Some of this may be related to the type of hormone therapy used, the dosage and the delivery method (there is no increase in women using hormone patches). Until we understand how all this plays out in terms of overall risk and how effective reducing CRP levels is on heart disease and deaths, it's unlikely that any national guidelines will recommend using CRP to screen for heart disease as they do with cholesterol.

If you have questions about C-reactive protein and inflammation and your risk for heart disease, ask your health care professional for more information.

5 Facts about Women & Heart Disease

1. The risk of heart disease in women who use hormone therapy depends on the woman's age and how long she has been taking the medication.
2. The blood level of a protein called C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation, may be as important a risk indicator for heart disease as cholesterol levels.
3. Statins can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke even in people with relatively low levels of cholesterol.
4. Aspirin therapy recommendations differ for women at different ages and different risk for heart attack.
5. Smoking continues to be the single most preventable risk factor for heart disease for both women and men.