CD4 and cardiovascular disorder: Highly sensitive CRP is a marker of HIV disease progression and cardiovascular disease, independent of CD4 counts and HIV-1 RNA levels.38,39 Her CRP level was 0.7 mg/L, which is reassuring as a level below 1.2 mg/L is associated with slower HIV disease progression38 and below 3.3 mg/L with slower development of cardiovascular disease.40 As mentioned, the concerning factors supporting ART initiation were low CD4:CD8 ratio, more frequent viral load blips and a CD4 percentage below 40%.