Objective To investigate the changes of the number and biological functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in peripheral blood of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and determine the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the cell number and function, so as to provide theoretical basis for further clinical application of HGF. Methods A random controlled trial was carried out on 50 CHD patients and 50 control subjects matched in age, sex, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The number of EPCs (CD133+/CD34+) and the level of HGF in peripheral blood of each group were measured respectively by flow cytometry and ELISA. The proliferation, migration, apoptosis and adhering ability of EPCs were detected by MTT assay, Transwell migration experiment, PI-AnnexinⅤ double staining and adhering experiment, respectively. Results Compared with control group, the number of CD133+/CD34+ cells in peripheral blood of CHD patients was significantly lower[(2.15±0.69)% vs (5.26±1.16)%, P＜0.01]; the plasma level of HGF was higher [(6.80±1.22) vs (2.62±0.83)μg/L, P＜0.01]; and the ability of proliferating, migrating and adhering of EPCs was reduced(P＜0.05). HGF significantly improved the biological function of EPCs isolated from patients with CHD(P＜0.05), but had no effect on the apoptosis of EPCs(P＞0.05). Conclusion The number of CD133+/CD34+cells in peripheral blood and plasma level of HGF might be used as new risk assessment factor for CHD patients.