Washington, Dec 24: While previous studies had voiced doubt over the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the development of heart disease, a new study finds the protein not to be the cause.
Previous studies had reported controversial findings regarding the role of CRP, an important marker of inflammation, as a warning sign or a direct cause leading to cardiovascular events.
Some had suggested that this protein is as important as blood cholesterol levels in causing heart attack.
According to the study published in The Lancet, CRP is linked with the future risk of heart attacks, stroke, deaths from various cancers, chronic lung disease, injuries and other conditions.
The study, however, found that its effect is influenced by other, already known risk factors of heart disease, such as smoking, blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol.
“Although our results support the idea that some process related to persistent inflammation is associated with vascular disease and other chronic disorders, most of the association with ischemic vascular disease depends on conventional risk factors and fibrinogen concentration,” the authors wrote.
Scientists concluded that CRP is not the direct cause of heart disease, adding that it might be useful in identifying the at-risk patients and to assess the efficacy of interventions.
–Agencies