This paper reviews the literature on C-reactive protein (CRP) as a potential marker to use in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. CRP levels are associated with CVD risk in asymptomatic individuals, independent of traditional risk factors. Furthermore, measurement of CRP concentrations adds predictive power to traditional risk scores in some intermediate-risk patients. It could also be important in the identification of individuals who could benefit from lifestyle modification and pharmacological preventive therapies. Results suggest that in some individuals, CRP measurement should be used in conjunction with LDL cholesterol to facilitate risk stratification of selected patients for CVD prevention. CRP levels are also associated with incident diabetes and CVD outcomes in individuals with features of the metabolic syndrome.
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