---> Important blood test for heart issues

Inflammation markers

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
  [Strep or staph bacteria marker]

---> Additional testing:

Heart

• B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
• Creatine kinase (CK)
• ECG
• Stethoscopic exam of heart and lungs

----- Notes -----

CRP

Levels of CRP below 1.0 (<1.0)

• low risk, normal test

Levels of CRP above 1.0 (>1.0)

• Consistently predict new coronary events in patients whove had a heart attack.
• Are linked to lower survival rates of heart-attack victims.
• May increase the risk that an artery will reclose after its been opened by balloon angioplasty.
• Seem to predict recurrent events in patients with peripheral arterial disease.