Elevated d-dimer may or may not be associated with coronary atherosclerosis.
Elevated levels of d-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, indicate a state of hypercoagulability of the blood in the body, with possible thrombosis and secondary hyperfibrinolysis.
In coronary atherosclerosis, atheromatous plaques may rupture, exposing subendothelial lipids and other components of the atheroma when their surfaces are broken or cracked, which activates localized coagulation and elevates d-dimer in the body.
In addition, elevated d-dimer can also be seen in thrombotic diseases such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, non-thrombotic diseases such as severe infections, malignant tumors, atrial fibrillation, hepatic and renal insufficiency, as well as in physiological conditions such as pregnancy, the elderly, newborns, and sedentary conditions.
Therefore, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment and receive standardized diagnosis and treatment when necessary.