hs-CRP blood test
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
In short
A typical adult hs-CRP result is under 3 mg/L (under 1 lower risk, 1–3 average). Over 3 mg/L is read as higher heart risk, but only if you were well when tested. Above 10 mg/L usually points to an infection or other inflammation instead. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
A very sensitive CRP test used to gauge heart risk.
This is the same CRP protein, measured with a test that picks up very small amounts. Low-level inflammation is linked to heart disease, so doctors use it as one heart-risk clue. It is read in bands: under 1 mg/L lower risk, 1 to 3 average, over 3 higher.
Is my hs-CRP high or low?
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Typical range
| For | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Adults · under 1 lower risk, 1–3 average | under 3 | mg/L |
| Adults · under 0.1 lower risk, 0.1–0.3 average | under 0.3 | mg/dL |
Typical ranges for adults. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
If your hs-CRP is high
Over 3 mg/L is read as higher heart risk, but only if you were well when tested. Above 10 mg/L usually points to an infection or other inflammation instead.
Common reasons
- A recent cold, flu or other infection
- Extra body weight, especially around the waist
- Smoking or little physical activity
- Birth control pills or hormone therapy
- A recent injury, or a flare of arthritis or gum disease
- Less often: a serious infection or a long-term inflammatory disease
What can throw it off
A recent infection, injury or flare can raise hs-CRP for weeks, so a high result is often rechecked.
Questions to take to your appointment
- 1Was I well enough when tested for this to count?
- 2Should it be repeated in a few weeks?
- 3How does it change my overall heart risk?
Read together with
Doctors rarely read hs-CRP alone. These usually sit next to it.
- LDL cholesterolThe 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in artery walls.
- HDL cholesterolThe 'good' cholesterol that carries extra cholesterol back to the liver.
- Non-HDL cholesterolAll the 'bad' cholesterol together: total cholesterol minus HDL.
- ApoBCounts the particles that carry 'bad' cholesterol in the blood.
- Lp(a)A cholesterol particle whose level is set mainly by your genes.
Quick answers
What is the hs-CRP blood test?
hs-CRP (High-sensitivity C-reactive protein): A very sensitive CRP test used to gauge heart risk. This is the same CRP protein, measured with a test that picks up very small amounts. Low-level inflammation is linked to heart disease, so doctors use it as one heart-risk clue. It is read in bands: under 1 mg/L lower risk, 1 to 3 average, over 3 higher.
What is a normal hs-CRP level?
For most adults, hs-CRP is typically under 3 mg/L (under 1 lower risk, 1–3 average). Some countries print it in mg/dL, so check the unit first. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
What does a high hs-CRP mean?
Over 3 mg/L is read as higher heart risk, but only if you were well when tested. Above 10 mg/L usually points to an infection or other inflammation instead. Common reasons include a recent cold, flu or other infection; extra body weight, especially around the waist; smoking or little physical activity; and birth control pills or hormone therapy. A doctor reads it together with your other results and how you feel.
What can affect my hs-CRP result?
A recent infection, injury or flare can raise hs-CRP for weeks, so a high result is often rechecked.
What should I ask my doctor about my hs-CRP?
Questions worth taking to the appointment: Was I well enough when tested for this to count? Should it be repeated in a few weeks? How does it change my overall heart risk?
What this page can’t do
It reads each number on its own.
Doctors read results together — ALT with AST, ferritin with hemoglobin, TSH with free T4. A pattern says more than any single flag.
It doesn't know you.
Your age, your medicines, how you feel and your last result all change what a number means.
It doesn't remember.
Close this page and your results are gone. That's on purpose: nothing was ever sent to us.
We also make Vita: Health Coach, an app for those parts. It reads your whole report with your medicines and history in mind, answers follow-up questions in plain words, and keeps your reports in one place — for you and for the people you look after.
Vita: Health Coach on the App StoreSources
- ABIM — Laboratory Test Reference Ranges (January 2026)
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity, Serum
Stuck on a word? See the medical words. How we choose our sources. More about Vita Health Coach.