It used to be that a physician could give you a fairly accurate assessment of your heart attack risk based on a few factors.

Doctors would look at your cholesterol with a blood test. They would take down your family history and see how genetically prone you were to a cardiac arrest of cardiovascular mishap. They would question you about your habits – the foods you eat, whether you drink and (this is a biggie) whether you smoke or not.

In addition, doctors will factor in your age and take your blood pressure reading into the equation.

These methods are all still used to help you determine your risk to have a heart attack or other issue, but now, for people over 50 there is an even more important gauge that will help determine risk.

It’s a simple blood test that will check the levels of a particular protein in your blood that will let doctors know whether you are suffering from inflammation in your body.

The test, called the hs-CRP test, checks for levels of C-reactive protein, also known as CRP. This protein will let doctors know how much inflammation is inside you.

Inflammation is said to be the silent but deadly killer. It can cause serious illnesses, diseases, and even lead to death.

The importance of chronic inflammation became widespread about a decade ago when Time Magazine revealed that researchers had made a link between chronic inflammation and disease.

Inflammation is a crucial part of the body’s immune defense system, but at times, it can go haywire. When that happens, the inflammation doesn’t turn off when its job is done. Instead, it continues its attack, but the battle ends up being against uninfected healthy tissue. This can seriously damage the body and trigger the release of some processes and chemicals that can contribute to blood clots. This can lead to a plaque build up in the arteries.

The American Heart Association now says that people who have high levels of CRP are two times more likely to have a heart attack.

This important test, determining CRP levels, is not yet standard during physicals, so it helps to ask your doctor on your own.

According to the American Heart Association, a person with a CRP level of three milligrams per liter is at high risk. One-fourth of all Americans fall into this category, it is estimated.

The average risk number would be between one and three milligrams per liter. Someone at low risk would be less than one milligram per liter. Anyone who has a CRP level of 10 milligrams per liter or more should come back and be re-tested. The higher level could be because the body is currently fighting an infection.

A more accurate test can be done some six weeks later.

This little-known disease marker will one day become standard fare during physicals for people over 50, but until then, it is worth asking about and getting the test done.

Once you have the test done, you can also use it as a baseline as you age to see if your CRP levels are rising and putting you greater at risk.

Frank Yocanis has been researching and writing about Nopalea for the past decade. He has even traveled to the Sonoran desert half a dozen times to study how Nopalea contains amazing properties that help with all kinds of joint pain, including leg pain. He is excited to share how this antioxidant-rich drink can change your life.

Frank Yocanis has been studying the health benefits of the prickly pear cactus, known as Nopalea for the past decade. He has even traveled to the Sonoran desert to try the plant in its native state with the people who have been growing them for centuries. Find out more at: http://www.nopalea.com.

Author Bio: Frank Yocanis has been researching and writing about Nopalea for the past decade. He has even traveled to the Sonoran desert half a dozen times to study how Nopalea contains amazing properties that help with all kinds of joint pain, including leg pain. He is excited to share how this antioxidant-rich drink can change your life.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Natural Anti Inflammatory, Antioxidants Benefits, Swollen Ankles, Anti Inflammatory Diet