title: C-reactive protein in hypertension: clinical significance and predictive value.
abstract: Mild elevations in C-reactive protein concentration predict myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular death in a variety of clinical settings. Despite the lack of specific evidence that C-reactive protein levels are independently associated with cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension, the prognostic value of C-reactive protein has proven to be complementary to that of blood pressure values. Recent epidemiological evidence has indicated a link between hypertension and increased C-reactive protein levels, and there are some indications that C-reactive protein may predict the future development of hypertension. Vessel wall inflammation is part of the vascular changes observed in animal models of hypertension. C-reactive protein is involved in the complex pathways leading to endothelial dysfunction, increased peripheral vascular resistance, and large artery stiffness in hypertension. In this regard, the role of C-reactive protein as a marker or a causal factor in promoting hypertension and its complications remains, however, to be elucidated. In this review, various aspects of the pathogenesis of inflammation in hypertension are summarized and connected with clinical studies that address the role of C-reactive protein in hypertensive disease.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Disease, University of Perugia Medical School, Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, Piazzale Menghini, 1, IT-06132 Perugia, Italy. skill@unipg.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schillaci
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirro
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein