D-dimer is a protein fragment that can help the blood clotting process. This process is very necessary when we are injured so that the blood stops. D-dimer is a type of blood sample test in the laboratory that aims to help diagnose diseases and conditions that cause a tendency for blood to clot beyond the normal size.

Many COVID-19 patients are admitted to the hospital with high D-dimer conditions. If the D-dimer number is too high and uncontrolled, it can be one of the predictors of mortality (death) in hospitalized patients.

One of the most common conditions found is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is associated with blood clots in the veins in the body, especially in the legs, causing blockage of blood flow in the legs, causing pain and tissue damage. It can also cause small clots to break up and travel with the bloodstream to other parts of the body, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE, pulmonary embolism - a blood clot in the lungs).

If a blood clot blocks blood flow to vital organs such as the kidneys, brain or heart, it can cause irreversible damage and can lead to the failure of these organs. The D-dimer test is usually used to monitor and keep blood clotting levels from rising.

The risk of blood clots generally increases if the body is not physically active (a lot of lying down), eating fatty foods, and obesity. Meanwhile, in COVID-19 patients, blood clots or clots are prone to occur due to infection with the virus itself.

Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes systemic inflammation and an excessive cytokine storm in the patient's body. A cytokine storm is the release of too many cytokines (cell-stimulating biological compounds).

As a result, the immune system actually damages the body. For systemic inflammation, this condition is any sign of inflammation that appears in the body due to infection.

The application of a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in this, including adopting a nutritious and balanced diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.