Abstract
In 2003, the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a scientific statement that suggested the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a recognized marker of inflammation, as an optional myocardial infarction risk factor measurement (Circulation. 2003;107:499-511). Compared with earlier guidelines, the statement suggested a more aggressive approach for identifying patients at risk of cardiovascular events. The increased interest in and the mounting evidence of the role of inflammation in the development of acute coronary syndrome was a major impetus for this. This article focuses on the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a nonlipid cardiovascular event risk marker and the implications for practice, education, and research.