Inflammatory Markers

Chronic inflammation is at the heart of many cardiometabolic and autoimmune diseases, yet it often flies under the radar in routine clinical assessments. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are two key inflammatory markers that offer valuable insights into your patients’ health, going beyond traditional risk factors to reveal hidden threats. Understanding these markers can help you better stratify cardiovascular risk, optimize treatment plans, and take a proactive approach to preventing disease progression.

	Inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis, and hs-CRP is the most reliable biomarker for cardiovascular risk. An analysis of NHANES data found that 52% of U.S. adults have elevated hs-CRP levels ≥2 mg/L.
	IL-6 is a key contributor to CVD pathophysiology. It is produced by macrophages, monocytes, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts, and plays a prominent role in promoting several aspects of atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). The liver synthesizes C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and releases it into the circulation in response to stimulation by pro-inflammatory cytokines,  particularly IL-6.1-2
	This IAS Clinical Proceedings White Paper from July 2024 (Libby et al.) explores the clinical significance of inflammatory markers, their role in systemic inflammation, and how integrating them into practice can improve patient outcomes. DOWNLOAD

REFERENCES

1. Mehta NN et al. Current Atherosclerosis Reports (2025) 27:12.

2. Libby P et al. Assessment & Treatment of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis. IAS Clinical Proceedings, 2024.

Credit: NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute