Aim To investigate the change of plasma alarin levels in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and its relationship with the severity of coronary artery stenosis. Methods Plasma alarin levels were measured in 48 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 74 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 34 controls. Coronary artery stenosis was evaluated by coronary angiography and characterized by Gensini scores. Results Plasma alrarin levels were significantly higher in AMI patients and SAP patients compared with controls (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference between AMI group and SAP group (P>0.05). In patients with CHD, plasma levels of alarin were positively correlated with Gensini scores and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels (P<0.05). Conclusions Plasma alarin levels were elevated in CHD patients and positively correlated with coronary stenosis and LDLC levels. Alarin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CHD.