What causes elevated high-sensitivity CRP?
Disease description:
I always feel chest tightness and dizziness. After examination, I was told that my high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is elevated. Doctor, could you please explain what causes elevated hs-CRP levels?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Elevated high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is usually caused by various factors. The most common cause is infection—whether bacterial or viral—as the body's inflammatory response leads to increased hs-CRP levels. Examples include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and influenza. Tissue damage can also raise hs-CRP levels, such as from trauma, surgical injury, or myocardial infarction. Autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, trigger abnormal immune activation and chronic inflammation, resulting in elevated hs-CRP.
In addition, malignant tumors can release inflammatory cytokines during growth and metastasis, leading to increased hs-CRP levels. Chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis and diabetic complications involve persistent inflammation, which can also elevate hs-CRP. If persistently high hs-CRP levels are observed, timely medical evaluation is recommended.
