C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory biomarker which has been connected to cardiovascular disease and chronic diseases. Researchers have found that inflammation has been linked to lung, renal, and skin conditions. However, it is unknown if CRP has an effect on cardiovascular mortality.

We conducted a study which assessed for all adult (≥ 20 years) individuals from the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is a population-based survey conducted with cardiovascular mortality data obtained through December 2019. C-reactive protein concentration was divided into 3 categories (>2=high, 1-2=moderate, and <1 mg/dL=low) was measured by Latex Nephelometry. Comparisons were analyzed using Complex Samples Cox regression to determine the relationship of C-reactive protein and cardiovascular mortality.

Data was available for 13,693 adults in the United States population. Males (9.34% (CI 8.8%-9.9%)) had significantly less mortality than females (9.1% (CI 8.5-9.7)). The overall unadjusted hazard ratio for low-to-moderate CRP is 1.70 (CI 1.39-2.16, p < 0.01) and low-to-high CRP 1.80 (CI 1.16-2.78). The adjusted HR remained strong for low-to-moderate CRP is 1.70 (CI 1.39-2.16, p < 0.01) and low-to-high CRP 1.80 (CI 1.16-2.78 p < 0.01) remained strong at 1.98 (CI 1.18-3.33, p < 0.01) among adults after the results were controlled for medical (obesity, depression) and demographic (gender, age, poverty-income-ratio and ethnicity) risk factors.

There is a significant relationship between C-reactive protein and cardiovascular mortality among all adults. Consequently, individuals with cardiovascular disease need to be better aware for inflammatory biomarkers. Healthcare professionals should screen for inflammatory biomarkers for chronic cardiovascular disease.