Which test indicates the inflammatory response in cardiovascular diseases?

The test indicating the inflammatory response in cardiovascular diseases is the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) test. This test measures the level of CRP, a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. High-sensitivity CRP tests are particularly useful for detecting lower levels of inflammation, which can be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks.

In cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation plays a crucial role, and elevated high-sensitivity CRP levels can signal underlying inflammation related to atherosclerosis and other heart conditions. Therefore, this test is more diagnostic in evaluating cardiovascular risk compared to the routine CRP test, which may not detect subtle changes and lacks the sensitivity needed for cardiovascular evaluations.

Other tests listed serve different purposes: the direct Coombs test is used primarily to detect autoimmune hemolytic anemia, while the rheumatoid factor (RF) test is more specific for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and not cardiovascular conditions. The routine CRP test, while still a measure of inflammation, does not provide the same level of specificity regarding cardiovascular risk as the high-sensitivity variant.