Aim To investigate the changes of peripheral circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and fibrinolysis, adhesion and inflammatory factors expressions of EPCs in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods 57 patients with CHD (CHD group) and 30 cases with control (control group) were selected, and EPCs were extracted and compared in number and cell colony. Concentrations and activities of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) secreted by EPCs were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and substrate chemiluminescence methods. The mRNA expressions of tPA, PAI, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in EPCs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The number of EPCs in CHD group was significantly lower than that in control group (P＜0.05), the number of forming cell colony and the ability of cell proliferation were also significantly lower (P＜0.05). Compared with the control group, the content and activity of tPA secreted by EPCs in CHD group decreased significantly (P＜0.05), and the content and activity of PAI increased significantly (P＜0.01). RT-PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the mRNA expressions of tPA and PPARγ in EPCs of CHD group decreased, while the mRNA expressions of PAI, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 increased (P＜0.05). Conclusion The decrease of EPCs in peripheral blood circulation, the reduction of fibrinolytic function and the increase of adhesion and inflammatory factor expression in patients with CHD play an important role in the occurrence and development of CHD.