The link between cardiovascular disease and inflammation

When people think about heart health, common concerns include blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. These risk factors matter and play a significant role in heart health. Research also shows that inflammation can affect your heart.

Are there links between heart disease risk and inflammation?

According to a 2025 scientific statement from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), inflammation is emerging as a factor in cardiovascular risk. Inflammation can quietly influence the development and progression of heart disease. Even when your blood pressure and cholesterol are under control, persistent inflammation may still raise your chance of heart problems.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to an illness or injury. It helps you heal. But sometimes inflammation does not go away. When that happens, it can harm healthy tissue.

What is the difference between acute vs. chronic inflammation?

• Acute inflammation is short-term. For example, when you get a cut, your body works to heal it.
• Chronic inflammation is long-lasting. It often has no symptoms, so you may not know it’s there.

What can chronic inflammation do over time?

In your heart, chronic inflammation can:

• Damage blood vessels
• Make it easier for plaque (fatty buildup) to form in artery walls

What can cause ongoing inflammation?

Many health issues and habits can be linked to chronic inflammation, including:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Excess body fat
• High blood pressure
• Gum disease
• Autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis)
• Unmanaged stress

Is there a test to help measure inflammation?

One helpful blood test is a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test. It can show signs of inflammation that may be linked to heart disease. C-reactive protein, or CRP, is a protein made by the liver. Your body releases CRP into the bloodstream in response to inflammation.

Cardiologists use the hs-CRP test to find inflammation that may affect heart health, as it can find smaller increases in the protein than a standard CRP test.

Why your cardiologist may order an hs-CRP test

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommends universal screening of hs-CRP in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, stating this represents a major clinical opportunity.

Understanding hs-CRP results

Results are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) of blood. General cardiovascular risk categories include:

• Low risk: Less than 1.0 mg/L
• Moderate (or average) risk: 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L
• High risk: Greater than 3.0 mg/L

A high hs‑CRP result does not diagnose a specific disease. Instead, it can be a sign that your body has inflammation and that you should be evaluated further by your healthcare team for increased disease risk.

Important notes about hs-CRP and other tests

An hs-CRP test does not replace other common heart tests, such as those measuring:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This is often called “bad cholesterol.”
• Lipoprotein(a)
• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

Another tool that may help evaluate your risk is a coronary calcium score. This is a CT scan of the heart that looks for plaque buildup.

The ACC notes that in patients who already have heart disease, high hs-CRP levels can predict future heart problems as well as LDL cholesterol. This means that even if cholesterol levels are well controlled, inflammation can still pose a significant risk. This is one reason prevention is important.

The ACC also says if someone has a persistently high hs-CRP result, they may want to ask their healthcare team about taking a statin, even if their LDL level is not high.

What can you do to protect your heart and reduce inflammation?

Fortunately, the same habits that support heart health can also reduce inflammation:

• Don't smoke.
• Follow a heart-healthy diet like Mediterranean or DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) which emphasize a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, yogurt and natural cheese, legumes (beans and peas), nuts and olive oil.
• Eat two to three servings of fish per week, including varieties rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
  • Salmon
  • Mackerel
  • Sardines
  • Tuna
• Avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as:
  • Sodas and sugary drinks
  • Red and processed meats
  • Refined carbohydrates, especially white bread and snacks or sweets made with white flour
• Include at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity).
• Lower stress when you can:
  • Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Stay connected with your support network.

Each person’s health journey is different. Talk with your healthcare professional about what is right for you.