“HIGH-SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AS AN EARLY BIOMARKER OF SUBCLINICAL INFLAMMATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION”

Background: Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A positive family history of hypertension is an established predictor of its development in the offspring of hypertensive parents. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a widely studied biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk prediction. The high-sensitivity assay can detect CRP within a range of 0.01–10 mg/L, enabling the assessment of low-grade systemic inflammation even in the absence of overt inflammatory or immunologic disorders. Aim: To evaluate hs-CRP as an early biomarker of endothelial dysfunction and future hypertension risk in young, healthy adults with a family history of hypertension. Methods: A total of 140 participants aged 18–30 years were included. The study comprised 70 cases—offspring of hypertensive parents (OHTPs)—and 70 controls—offspring of normotensive parents (ONHTPs). Anthropometric variables and hs-CRP levels were recorded and analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: The mean hs-CRP level was significantly higher in OHTPs compared with ONHTPs (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to age and body mass index. Conclusion: Elevated hs-CRP levels in normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents suggest the presence of subclinical inflammation and early endothelial dysfunction, which may contribute to the future development of hypertension. Identifying such biomarkers may aid in risk stratification and early preventive strategies.