The Cardiac Risk of the Combination of High HDLs & High C-Reactive Protein

You have probably heard the terms “good cholesterol”, which usually refers to the HDLs and “bad cholesterol”, which usually refers to the LDLs. You may have also heard of C Reactive Protein (CRP), which is an indication of chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with many chronic and degenerative conditions and is not a good thing for general health or longevity.

Relatively new findings are now associating a higher risk for heart attack and other cardiac events if you have both high levels of HDLs (“good cholesterol”) and high levels of CRP (C-reactive protein)!

While a high level of HDL cholesterol is generally associated with protection against heart attacks, a study led by Dr. James Corsetti, at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, suggests that this combo can put you at a greater risk for a heart attack.

Why Would High HDLs & High C-Reactive Protein Increase Your Risk for a Heart Attack?

Normally, HDL cholesterol acts as a “garbage truck” in your body, carting off sticky little LDL particles that can clog up your arteries and set you up for heart disease. But what research suggests is that when inflammation is present, as measured by CRP, HDL cholesterol doesn’t function as it should.

This could explain why someone could have all good numbers with their blood tests and get a heart attack. The reason why is that CRP is not, but should be a routine blood test, which it is not. When you are missing this piece of crucial data, you don’t have the entire picture of your cardiovascular health.

If you don’t have a blood test coming up very soon,. you may want to contact your physician to get your CRP levels tested. I also recommend asking your physician to include a CRP test annually for you. CRP is a relatively new test. CRP was first identified in 1930, but wasn’t widely available for lab studies until about 2003.

Another important lab test that is also not included in a standard profile is homocysteine. Homocysteine breaks down elastin. When elastin breaks down, you are more prone to hemorrhagic strokes. Another benefit to low homocysteine levels is that your skin will look healthier and not sag as much. You will look healthier inside and out!

If your CRP level is above 1.0 mg/L, you may want to take the following steps to lower it, along with your risk for heart attack:

1. Reduce your weight to a healthy level. Fat cells are not just a parking lot for excess calories but are metabolically active, churning out hormones and inflammatory chemicals. Excess body fat, especially in the abdomen, closely correlates with chronic inflammation.

2. Eat a high-fiber diet with plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy fats from olive oil and cold water fish.

3. Reduce your intake of trans-fats, as well as refined carbohydrates.

4. It’s also important to exercise and take a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and beta-carotene.

5. Increase your consumption of Omega 3 fats and/or take a high quality fish oil or krill oil supplement. Eating wild caught Alaskan salmon is my favorite way to get omega 3 fats.

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