CRP and rheumatoid arthritis: Increased CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are associated with greater thickness of the carotid artery intima-media in RA and also in healthy subjects.[31] Others have found CRP levels to be associated with aortic pulse wave velocity in healthy individuals and in patients with systemic vasculitis.[32] Some authors did not find any association between current CRP levels and aortic stiffness.[33] However, in this study current CRP levels were higher in rheumatoid patients with aortic stiffness than those without, suggesting that inflammation may be involved in arterial stiffening.