The risk scale for C-reactive protein is generally regarded as: less than 1 mg/L is low risk, 1 to 3 mg/L is average risk, and more than 3 mg/L is high risk. These values, however, should be considered in the context of your other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including your age and gender; and before ascribing a high C-reactive protein level to any form of atherosclerosis, it is important to rule out other potential causes for elevated levels.

What to do for individuals who have elevated C-reactive protein levels is another debated issue. In general, you should discuss your need for and type of treatment with your physician. Individuals who are at high risk for future cardiovascular events should ensure that their other risk factors are optimally controlled, frequently with medications and through healthy lifestyle habits. Aspirin is also frequently recommended in the absence of contraindications, since aspirin reduces both inflammation and one's propensity to form blood clots.

If your doctor determines that you have only an intermediate cardiovascular risk based on a review of your other risk factors, he/she may decide that you could benefit from taking statins, which are a cholesterol-lowering agent and have been shown to protect against the development of future heart disease among individuals with high C-reactive protein levels, but normal or near-normal cholesterol levels. If you fall into a low risk category, and only have a high C-reactive protein level without other risk factors, aspirin may be your only recommended treatment.

Ultimately, it is important to carefully discuss the meaning of your high C-reactive protein level with your physician. Together, you should be able to design a strategy that effectively protects you from cardiovascular disease in your years to come.