Marker group

Cardio Inflammation

Plain-English guides to the cardio inflammation markers we measure and what your results mean, written to inform the conversation with your practitioner.

Markers in this group

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)hs-CRP is a marker of low-level inflammation in your blood. Ongoing low-grade inflammation is linked to heart risk, so the test can add context to a broader heart-health assessment. You are probably hoping for a simple "is my number OK?", and the honest answer is that hs-CRP does not give you that on its own — Australian guidelines do not recommend it for routine cardiovascular screening, and your GP reads it alongside your cholesterol, blood pressure, and overall health picture. This page explains what the number means and what to ask about.HomocysteineYou are probably wondering whether your number is something to worry about. The honest answer is that homocysteine is a risk marker, not a verdict — a raised level is one signal among many, and on its own it does not predict what will happen to you. It is most useful as an early sign that your body may not be getting enough B vitamins, and in Australia it is a targeted test your GP orders for specific reasons, not a routine screen for everyone.

Reading results in this group

a little low

Low cardiovascular inflammation markers are positive news, suggesting your blood vessels are in a healthy state.

Possible reasons:

This can reflect individual baseline or lab variation.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP if you also have symptoms or other abnormal tests.

in range

Your cardiovascular inflammation markers are in the expected range. This is reassuring for your heart health.

Possible reasons:

Stable health often keeps these markers in range.

Next steps: No follow-up is usually needed.

a little high

Elevated inflammation markers may be associated with cardiovascular changes over time. The encouraging news is that this marker often responds well to lifestyle factors like diet, movement, and stress management.

You might not notice any symptoms right now, which is actually good news - it means you've caught this early.

Possible reasons:

This can relate to recent illness, chronic inflammation, or metabolic factors.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP. They can advise on lifestyle factors or monitoring that might be helpful for your situation.

Inflammation markers often improve within 8-12 weeks of lifestyle changes.

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