C-Reactive protein in hypertension as a cardiovascular risk factor: A prospective observational study

Background and objective : C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-known inflammatory biomarker and is associated with cardiovascular risk. Our objective was to see whether it is also associated with hypertension and its complications. Methodology : This prospective observational study was carried out in general outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary level hospital on a total of 112 patients, among them 71 were hypertensive and 41 were normotensive. Baseline CRP was measured in all subjects and followed them up to six months to see any association between the level of CRP and hypertensive complications. Results : It is found that mean CRP was 2.923 (± 0.294) in hypertensive subjects and 1.058 (± 0.330) in normotensive subjects. No association is found between level of CRP and hypertensive complications. Conclusion : CRP is raised in hypertension. But it is not established that its level can predict the complication of hypertension. Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2018; 6(1): 3-6