CRP and Hypertension: Malaria is a cause of chronic inflammation,35 and inflammation predisposes to cardiovascular diseases in high-income countries.36 In a prospective study of 20 525 female US health professionals, there was a linear relationship between baseline C-reactive protein levels and incident hypertension.37 Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis have increased arterial stiffness, which precedes hypertension.38–40 The link between inflammatory conditions and hypertension may be related to perturbations in the levels of endothelial-based growth factors.