Exercise, C-reactive protein, and your heart
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; with the exception of 1918, it has held that dubious distinction every year since 1900. Nearly 2,600 Americans die of heart disease each day — that’s one death every 34 seconds. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, since more than 64 million American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease; in some 13 million, the problem is coronary artery disease. In all, American men face a 49% lifetime risk of developing coronary artery disease beyond the age of 40.
Atherosclerosis or “atheroscleritis”
oxygen free radicalsoxidized LDLWhat is CRP?
CRP is produced in the liver, so everybody has it in their blood. In healthy people, blood levels of CRP are very low, but they are boosted by any inflammation in any part of the body. Because CRP reflects the liver’s response to inflammation, it is a marker for inflammation. But does it also participate in inflammation? Does it add to the damage of coronary artery disease?
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