Background and Aim: The goal of this study is to determine the effects of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program (CCRP) on various domains of health related quality of life (HRQOL) in coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) patients.

Materials & Methods: Forty- four post CABG patients aged 40 - 60 years (mean age = 52.95, SD = 6.02) participated in Phase II CCRP. The SF-36 health survey was used to assess the HRQOL before and after the CCRP and at three-month follow up. The data of patients were compared before and after the intervention and with the normal values of age matched (45-64 Yrs., 882 persons).

Results: The findings showed that there was a significant difference in seven domains of HRQOL between patients prior to CCRP and general population (P ≤ 0.05). There was a significant difference in all HRQOL domains after CCRP (P ≤ 0.005). Five out of 8 domains of HRQOL were unchanged at least 3 months after the CCRP, whereas there was an improvement in 3 domains of HRQOL (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the physical and mental health interventions in CCRP are among  critical  keys to prevent and/or at least decrease the adverse effects of surgery on HRQOL.