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Post by *KAS* on May 24, 2018 15:09:41 GMT
FIRST: I've been to the doctor and have a follow-up plan. I'm not asking for pea advice in lieu of a doctor. Just looking for others' experience that might put my mind at ease.  I recently did a preventative physical which included a full panel of bloodwork. My mother had a mild heart attack at 48, and a major stroke at 49, and was dx'd with T2 diabetes while in the hospital. So as I approach 40, I want to know everything I can to avoid a similar fate if at all possible. Almost all of my tests were good. Cholesterol slightly high, but just something to watch, not 'bad'. Lower than it was 5 years ago. BUT, I had a C-Reactive protein screening. This is an indicator of inflammation in the body, which they say could be a predictor of future heart trouble. The problem, from what I'm reading, is that it could be any sort of inflammation, not necessarily heart related. Under 1 is considered normal, and I think 3-10 is considered higher risk. Mine was a 35.6!!! The nurse said that the doctor indicated it may have been a false positive. I had a cold that day, and what I didn't tell the doctor is that I have degenerative disc disease in my back - it just never came up. It's been bothering me, so there's def some inflammation there. I'm going to do a heart calcification screening next week, which should give me a better picture of my insides. But has anybody had a super high score on the C-Reactive protein that would put me at ease that I won't have a heart attack next week? The nurse said the doctor wanted to get the heart screen (which was already in the plan) and come back in 3 months, so I'm guessing she wasn't TOO worried, but I am! Could this be from my back!? It just seems so high, and google hasn't really helped. UPDATE: I had the heart calcification screening last week. GREAT news - my score was ZERO! No plaque in my heart arteries. I'll follow-up with my doctor in a few months, but feel so much better now. I would encourage everybody to ask about this test. It was cash pay $99 (I didn't submit to insurance at the advice of my doctor) - totally worth it for peace of mind. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on May 24, 2018 15:18:13 GMT
I can't remember my numbers, but my C-Reactive protein is high, but I have Rheumatoid Arthritis...so that makes sense that it's abnormal. I have no heart issues at all. I had heart tests done in September and October and got a clean bill of health as far as that goes.
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Deleted
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Jun 18, 2024 11:55:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 15:26:05 GMT
Mine is also elevated but I have Ankylosing Spondylitis so it's supposed to be high.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691 
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Post by PrettyInPeank on May 24, 2018 15:26:38 GMT
It can be an indication of an autoimmune disease, too. Do you have any odd symptoms? Even minor things like thin hair or feeling cold, dry eyes, etc? Don't need to answer, just something to ponder.
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Post by Zee on May 24, 2018 15:29:44 GMT
It's just an indicator that there MIGHT be cardiac trouble later. Get your other testing done before worrying. It could easily be a false positive, as your Dr suggested.
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Post by SallyPA on May 24, 2018 16:35:45 GMT
There are 2 different CRP. One is often labeled at HS or CS - heart or cardiac sensitive. And the other is not. The regular “original” one, is an indicator of inflammation of some sort, somewhere in the body. Very non-specific. The HS value will equate to a cardiac risk value and if elevated then you just need to be aware of it. And modify other risk factors like diet and exercise and keep an eye of blood pressure and cholesterol. That’s all it means. You already knew you had elevated risk due to your family history so it’s just another piece of information to keep in mind.
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Post by *KAS* on May 24, 2018 17:13:20 GMT
It can be an indication of an autoimmune disease, too. Do you have any odd symptoms? Even minor things like thin hair or feeling cold, dry eyes, etc? Don't need to answer, just something to ponder. I appreciate the ideas, but no, other than chronic low back pain, I'm pretty much always healthy. Maybe a sinus cold and/or allergies once or twice a year. Dry eyes sometimes, but usually relates back to allergy season. It's just an indicator that there MIGHT be cardiac trouble later. Get your other testing done before worrying. It could easily be a false positive, as your Dr suggested. Yes, that's definitely the hope. Just hard not to worry. But I called and scheduled the other test for next Thursday, so I'll have that info soon. There are 2 different CRP. One is often labeled at HS or CS - heart or cardiac sensitive. And the other is not. The regular “original” one, is an indicator of inflammation of some sort, somewhere in the body. Very non-specific. The HS value will equate to a cardiac risk value and if elevated then you just need to be aware of it. And modify other risk factors like diet and exercise and keep an eye of blood pressure and cholesterol. That’s all it means. You already knew you had elevated risk due to your family history so it’s just another piece of information to keep in mind. Thank you - I was hoping you would weigh in! My BP is good and cholesterol was 10 points over normal. But I am committing to 30 minutes of cardio daily to try and control that (along with the healthy eating). I don't smoke (the nurse told me to stop smoking, which is why I mention that). Unfortunately I looked and mine is labeled as hsCRP, so I guess that is the heart specific one. I didn't realize that. So now back to panic! haha! |
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Post by heckofagal on May 24, 2018 17:30:43 GMT
I’m sorry for your concern. I just want to add that sometimes the numbers don’t always represent what you think. I had an incident with a jet ski last month that landed me in the ER as I inhaled a bunch of sea water and was wheezing and very short of breath. They took x-rays and bloodwork. Started to feel better and wondered if I would be released soon when they came in and told me I was being admitted as I had had a ‘baby’ heart attack. My troponin level was elevated and I would need a cardiac cath which probably wouldn’t happen for a few days since it was a Friday night, but if my levels kept rising they might do emergency surgery. Troponin is a cardiac enzyme and I was told anytime it is elevated it is a sign of a recent heart attack. Then I was brought to a room and heard my second troponin test came back even higher. Thought I was headed for emergency surgery and prayed they would get to me before I had another more serious heart attack. The cardiologist came in the next day before my 3rd troponin even came back and said “You haven’t had a heart attack. Traumatic events can raise your troponin level too and a near-drowning qualifies for a traumatic event.” So my 3rd troponin level came back lower, and they made me do an electrocardiogram and stress test before I left but those came back great. I did have to stay another night as they wanted to do a 3rd IV antibiotic because they did not like my second chest xray but it was a lot easier to stay knowing I did not have a heart attack.
Hoping you can get more info that will calm your fears.
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on May 24, 2018 18:48:30 GMT
The inflammation that causes high CRP levels can be lowered with a more plant based diet, so if you're a big meat eater, that might be one area to adapt in
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Post by *KAS* on May 24, 2018 19:25:57 GMT
heckofagal - how scary! Glad they caught that before surgery!! keithurbanlovinpea - I don't know if I eat excessive amounts, but I do have it with a lot, so I will definitely keep that in mind! I'm trying to stick to leaner cuts vs red meat for the most part as a start. (as I try to naturally bring the cholesterol down a bit). Thanks!
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Post by Really Red on May 24, 2018 21:03:21 GMT
About 12 years ago I had a super high C-Reactive protein - not as high as yours but something around 23, I believe. My doctor wasn't worried, but I was!!! It made me sick. Fast forward 12 years and it's gone down a bit in the years (maybe teens now) and I am healthy as a horse. I'm older than you and I have no idea why it's high. Apparently the doctors don't understand everything about C-Reactive protein so they can't really tell me anything.
Sorry I'm not more help.
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Post by dewryce on May 24, 2018 21:24:10 GMT
It sounds like you are gathering the information you need and taking charge!
For comparison which you were originally asking for, I have mild-moderate DDD and even when it is acting up my numbers aren't nearly that high, even with other autoimmune disorders. Now, everyone's body reacts differently so it could mean nothing. But, chronic inflammation in general is bad for not only your heart but also can do long term damage your brain and the rest of your body so you might want to ask your doctor about a diet and meds to lower it. Plant based diet is good. So is Paleo, but stick with lean meats. My rheumatologist has me on Tumric and fish oil.
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Post by penguin on May 24, 2018 22:10:57 GMT
Mine was high due to rheumatoid arthritis. It went down when I eliminated gluten.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,215
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on May 24, 2018 22:34:47 GMT
I was also going to suggest to lower your gluten intake. Gluten can cause inflammation in the body. My joints feel so much better when I go gluten free or low amounts.
Hope you get in touch with your doctor soon so he can relieve some of your anxiety over this. |
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Post by heckofagal on May 15, 2023 16:48:35 GMT
I just had some blood work done and my hsCRP came back elevated (only said >10) and I freaked out, so I came here to search to see if anyone else has had experience with this. And I find my own response to another poster about not freaking out about this. LOL! I've never been able to talk myself off the ledge with my own advice from 5 years ago.
I get Vestibular Migraines which normally I can deal with on a day to day basis but right now I'm in a middle of a flair that is debilitating. It was time for my regular bloodwork and I don't even see where my dr has tested hsCRP before to compare. But everything I read says stress can add to an elevated hsCRP and besides battling these migraines work has also been SUPER stressful so I'm going to try to not freak out. And I'm actually a bit relieved as I was afraid my A1c was going to be high and at 5.4 it's not even in the pre-diabetic range so I'm feeling good about that.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,036
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on May 15, 2023 17:07:45 GMT
Glad you feel more at ease with your test results. My old boss' husband had the heart calcification test ran and they said his heart has half calcified and probably would not live more than 2 years. That was close to 25 years ago. After seeing a heart specialist after the calcification test, they told him those are money grabs and not to trust the results.
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Post by sillyrabbit on May 15, 2023 21:47:50 GMT
My levels are always high from my ankylosing spondylitis. It probably should've been investigated sooner, but my doctor didn't seem overly concerned. Fast forward about 10 years, and I developed an eye condition called iritis. Had it 3 times in about 6 months. My eye doctor suggested I see a rheumatologist. My appointment was scheduled but before I got to the appointment I woke up with my back hurting so badly I couldn't walk. I was diagnosed with sacroiliitis. After blood work and X-rays, I was ultimately diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. I have some substantial mobility and eye issues now that could have perhaps been prevented had my doctor shown a bit more concern when my C reactive protein was high initially. My advice is to investigate all avenues. Prevention of issues is so much better than treatment of issues. Good luck!
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Post by Lexica on May 15, 2023 21:55:31 GMT
I had the same circumstances that you had. My number was even higher than yours and my sister, a nurse, flipped out because my doctor didn’t seem overly concerned. Mine turned out to be my spinal issues causing the inflammation also and I ended up having surgery to repair things.
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