After adjustment for total cholesterol level and hypertension, the HR for CVD-related mortality among those CMV seropositive with high CRP level compared to individuals that were CMV seronegative with low CRP, was attenuated by 3.5% (HR 1.65 95% CI: 1.16, 2.35, compared to HR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.42). Here, CRP is linked to Hypertension.