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HEART DISEASE
About half of heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. So is that a reason to stop holding back on fatty foods? Before you reach for those French fries, better ask your doctor about your CRPs. There's growing evidence that in some people, inflammation (measured by the levels of so-called C-reactive protein present in the blood) is as important as cholesterol in determining the risk of heart attacks. The theory holds that the same aggravation by the immune system that seizes joints in arthritis may irritate heart arteries, making them more hospitable environments for fatty plaque deposits. Fortunately, the statins that work so well to lower cholesterol levels are also extremely effective at reducing CRP levels and, doctors hope, cutting the risk of heart attacks. More and more heart doctors routinely test levels of both cholesterol and CRP in their patients.
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