['C-reactive protein (CRP) elevated in inflammation is associated with atherosclerotic disease. We describe the distribution of CRP and its association with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in a large CHD patient group.', 'This analysis comprises 2,723 male and 256 female CHD patients, included in the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP) study. High sensitive CRP levels were determined in frozen plasma samples.', 'CRP distribution, was normalized upon log transformation. Levels among women were higher than in men in the entire group (4.4 vs. 3.5 mg/l) and in each age group. Co-morbidities, smoking, lower education level, and use of cardiovascular drugs, were associated with elevated CRP levels in both sexes. The correlation between CRP and body mass index (BMI), insulin and glucose was stronger among women. The explained variability in CRP level was larger in women (20%) compared to men (13%). Among women, BMI explained 10% of CRP variability, whereas the contribution of each variable among men was significantly smaller.'] Does c-reactive protein distribution and correlate among men and women with chronic coronary heart disease?