C-reactive protein and subclinical cardiovascular disease among African-Americans: (the Jackson Heart Study).

Objective: Systemic inflammation has been implicated as an early marker for subclinical cardiovascular disease; however, findings have been inconsistent in the African-American population.

Methods: We examined the relation of C-reactive protein (CRP) to subclinical disease in African-American participants of the Jackson Heart Study first examination. Subclinical disease evaluated included aortic valve calcification (AVC), carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).