Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Background. Nowadays, CABG is common in many patients to treat complications of the cardiovascular disease.

Method. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery procedure (CABG). Based on objective and with regard to the inclusion criteria, the subjects were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control groups. Cardiac rehabilitation program was conducted 24 sessions for the experimental group and the control group followed the usual program. Data were collected by demographic and SF-36 quality of life questionnaires at discharge (at the beginning of rehabilitation), the fourth week (after twelfth session) and the eighth week (after twenty fourth session) of cardiac rehabilitation. The data were analyzed by using Chi-square, independent T and RMANOVA tests.

Findings. The findings showed that the experimental and control groups were not significantly different with each other in terms of demographic variables. Comparison of experimental and control groups by using independent T-test showed that approximately there was statistically significant difference in all quality of life components after 12 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation in experimental group (4 weeks after control group discharge). Also, the comparison of both groups showed that after 24 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation in experimental group (8 weeks after control group discharge), there was statistically significant difference in variables such as physical functioning, general health, vitality, emotional role (emotional limitations), mental health, physical and mental health component and quality of life.

Conclusion. The results indicate a significant improvement on quality of life with cardiac rehabilitation intervention therefore, it is necessary to emphasize and encourage cardiac rehabilitation.