High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein- ZRT Test Kit

Quick Facts

• Sample: Dried blood spot (finger stick)
• Fasting: Not required; can test anytime
• Turn-around: 3-5 business days from lab receipt. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays. 

Benefits

• Assess cardiovascular inflammation without visiting a lab or scheduling appointments
• Detect systemic inflammation independent of cholesterol levels
• Get results via secure online portal within days, accessible only to you
• Make informed decisions about heart disease prevention and lifestyle changes
• Monitor inflammatory response to diet, exercise, or medication adjustments
• Identify modifiable cardiovascular risk before symptoms develop

Who Is This Test For?

• Adults 45+ (men) or 50+ (women) concerned about heart disease
• People with intermediate cardiovascular risk or family history of early heart disease
• Those with normal cholesterol but wanting inflammation assessment
• Individuals on statin therapy monitoring residual inflammatory risk
• Anyone with metabolic syndrome, obesity, or type 2 diabetes
• People implementing lifestyle changes and seeking objective feedback

How It Works - Just 3 Steps

1. Collect: Prick your finger using the provided sterile lancet, fill 2-4 blood spots on the collection card, and let dry for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Mail: Place the dried card in the prepaid return envelope with your completed lab form and drop it in any U.S. mailbox (no postage needed).
3. Access: Receive an email when results are ready typically 3-5 business days.

FAQ

What does hs-CRP measure? hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) measures systemic inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease independent of cholesterol. The American College of Cardiology now recommends universal screening to identify cardiovascular risk.

Does this test require fasting? No. hs-CRP testing does not require fasting, medication changes, or special preparation. Avoid intense exercise 24 hours before collection and ensure you are free of acute infection (cold, flu, dental work).

How accurate is the blood spot method compared to traditional blood draws? The blood spot assay demonstrates an R=0.99 correlation with traditional serum laboratory testing, meaning results are statistically equivalent to venipuncture-based testing in clinical settings.

Can I interpret my results without seeing a doctor? Yes, results are delivered with reference ranges for self-interpretation. However, if your result is elevated (≥2 mg/L) or you have other cardiovascular risk factors, physician consultation helps guide next steps regarding lifestyle changes or treatment options.

Can this test monitor my statin therapy? Yes. hs-CRP is valuable for monitoring inflammation in people already taking statins. Persistent elevation (≥2 mg/L) despite statin therapy suggests residual inflammatory risk and warrants discussion with your provider about intensifying treatment.

What if my result is very high (>10 mg/L)? Results above 10 mg/L likely reflect acute infection or inflammation rather than chronic cardiovascular risk. Avoid interpreting for heart disease risk. Retest in 2-3 weeks when you're medically stable.

More Details

What is the purpose of this test?

hs-CRP testing identifies systemic inflammation, now recognized by the American College of Cardiology as a distinct cardiovascular risk factor warranting universal screening. This is especially valuable for people with "normal" cholesterol who remain at elevated heart disease risk due to persistent inflammation. Early detection enables lifestyle intervention and helps determine if preventive statin therapy is warranted.

What biomarkers are measured in this test?

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP): An acute-phase protein synthesized by the liver in response to systemic inflammation. Elevated hs-CRP indicates inflammation and has been implicated in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and blood clot formation.

Who would benefit from this test?

This test is ideal for health-conscious adults seeking proactive cardiovascular assessment, particularly those aged 45+ (men) or 50+ (women) with intermediate cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, or family history of early heart disease. It's also valuable for people on statin therapy monitoring inflammation control, or anyone implementing dietary or exercise changes and wanting objective feedback on inflammatory status.

When should I order this test?

Order as part of initial cardiovascular risk assessment, or every 2-3 years for ongoing surveillance. If your baseline is elevated (≥2 mg/L), retest in 2 weeks to confirm persistence versus acute infection. For those implementing lifestyle changes, baseline testing followed by retesting at 3-6 months demonstrates intervention effectiveness.

How do I interpret the results?

Your result falls into one of these categories:

• <1.0 mg/L (Low Risk): Lower baseline cardiovascular risk; maintain current healthy lifestyle.
• 1.0-3.0 mg/L (Average/Moderate Risk): Intermediate risk; assess alongside other factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking). Consider lifestyle optimization.
• ≥2.0 mg/L (Risk-Enhancing): Warrants lifestyle intervention (diet, exercise, weight loss). If additional risk factors present, discuss statin therapy with provider.
• 3.0-10.0 mg/L (High Risk): Significant cardiovascular risk. Implement lifestyle modifications and consult your provider.
• >10.0 mg/L (Likely Acute Inflammation): Do not interpret for cardiovascular risk; retest in 2-3 weeks.

hs-CRP elevation reflects systemic inflammation from any source, so clinical context is essential for accurate interpretation.

Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.

Pre-test preparation

Avoid testing during active infection (cold, flu, dental procedures) or within two weeks of surgery or vaccination. Refrain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours before collection. Drink a large glass of water 30 minutes before collection to improve blood flow. If hands are cold, warm them under hot water or rub briskly. Medications do not require adjustment, but inform your provider of NSAIDs, aspirin, statins, or anti-inflammatory supplements when interpreting results.

How often should I get tested?

Initial cardiovascular risk assessment:

•  One baseline test

Ongoing surveillance (low-risk individuals):

• Every 2-3 years

Monitoring lifestyle changes:

• Baseline, then 3 months and 6 months after intervention

Confirming elevated results:

• Retest in 2 weeks to rule out acute inflammation

Monitoring statin therapy:

• Follow-up testing at 4-8 weeks after therapy initiation to assess inflammation response

Why early detection matters

Elevated hs-CRP identifies inflammation-driven cardiovascular risk before heart attack or stroke occurs. A landmark 18,000-person trial showed that treating people with elevated hs-CRP but normal cholesterol with statins reduced heart attacks by 55% and strokes by 48% (Circulation 2008). Early detection enables lifestyle modifications and preventive therapy, potentially preventing 500,000+ major vascular events in the U.S. alone.

Related tests you may consider

Lipid Panel Blood Test With Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio -  Assesses cardiovascular risk and track cholesterol treatment effectiveness by measuring blood lipids.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Blood Test, Quantitative - Measures CRP levels to detect and monitor inflammation caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, injuries, or chronic conditions, helping doctors assess treatment effectiveness and overall health.

Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c Blood Test - Calculates the average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, making it an ideal diagnostic tool for diabetes management.