High C-Reactive Protein & Restless Leg Syndrome

The Sleep Heart Health Study published in the January 2008 volume of Neurology reveals that people who suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome are at an increased risk for cardiovascular problems. A high c-reactive protein level is an indicator of cardiovascular risk. Some doctors are skeptical about the results since the patients in the study were not interviewed face to face about their RLS diagnosis.

High C-reactive Protein Level and Restless Leg Syndrome

• Until recently, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was a disease that had very few ill-effects apart from the discomfort experienced by people who suffer from it. However, outcomes from the Sleep Heart Health Study published in the January 2008 volume of Neurology suggest that RLS patients have double the risk of heart disease or stroke. Further study is needed to see if there's a link between a high c-reactive protein level, usually an indicator for cardiovascular problems and RLS.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

• The Restless Legs Foundation defines RLS as a "neurological disorder characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs." This urge usually starts when you are resting and commonly begins at night when most people are relaxing in preparation for sleep. The urge goes away after you move your legs but returns when the activity stops. Since this compulsion to move your legs begins at the end of an active day, someone who has RLS may also suffer from a lack of quality sleep. Constant movement of their limbs while sleeping can cause them to wake up frequently throughout the night.

What is C-Reactive Protein?

• HIgher levels of C-reactive protein are seen in people with high blood pressure.

  C-Reactive protein is a complex set of proteins in our immune system that indicates when our body is going through a major infection or trauma, according to "Understanding C-reactive Protein" published by Brigham and Women's Hospital Cardiovascular Center. Everyone makes this protein in their bodies but higher levels are seen in people who have high blood pressure, are overweight and don't exercise. People can also inherit high CRP levels from their family's genetic code. A high CRP level indicates a greater risk of heart disease and stroke.

Study Indicates Increased Cardiovascular Problems for RLS Patients

• The Sleep Heart Health Study showing a possible link between RLS and cardiovascular risk was reported in the January 2008 issue of American Academy of Neurology. The community-based observational study included 1,559 men and 1,874 women; 6.8 percent of women and 3.3 percent of men in the group had RLS. Researchers saw a twofold increased risk for RLS and prevalent CAD and cardiovascular disease after controlling for age, sex, race and risk factors such as body mass index, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication use, cholesterol levels, sleep apnea and their smoking history.

Doctors Are Skeptical About Link

• In an article entitled "Restless Legs Syndrome Linked to Cardiovascular Disease" published on Medpage Today, Barbara Scherokman, M.D., a Fairfax, Va., neurologist and an American Academy of Neurology spokesperson were skeptical of the results. "This study should not cause patients to be overly fearful about heart attack or stroke because this is not definite proof of a connection." She cautioned, "It is only suggestive." Additionally, doctors were hesitant to a make any definite connections between RLS and cardiovascular risk because the RLS diagnosis was made by a questionnaire completed by the patients rather than a personal interview. Also, random and rapid movements of the limbs may be one of the reasons why there's a higher elevation in blood pressure and heart rate in RLS patients.