Abstract Background: Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) are recommended for all patients after surgery for myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life and exercise capacity in patients after coronary bypass graft (CABG). Materials and Methods: Patients were randomized into a training group (n = 30, mean age: 54.4 ± 7.8 years) and a control group (n = 30, mean age: 55.3 ± 5.7 years). After concluding baseline tests including exercise test, 6MWT, Beck anxiety and depression inventory and The Persian version of Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) used for data collection .The exercise group patients were enrolled in a supervised exercise and rehabilitation program, which included: stretching and warm-up exercise (10-15 min), endurance training (15-20 min), resistance training (10-15 min) and cool-down/relaxation exercise. Functional capacity was evaluated by six minute walking test (6MWT) and exercise test. Results: After 8 weeks of CRP, significant increases of VO2max as well as 6MWT were observed in the training group (P < 0.001). Patients increased their exercise time by 40.6%, VO2max by 31%, and distance during 6MWT by 39.5% whereas, no significant differences were found in the control group. Health-related quality of life increased in patients in physical functioning, vitality, social functioning, mental health scale, general health, pain and role-emotional scales. Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation programs increase exercise capacity and improve quality of life in patients after cardiac surgery. Keywords: Myocardial infarction, Depression, Anxiety, Quality of life, Cardiac rehabilitation.

Keywords: Myocardial infarction, Depression, Anxiety, Quality of life, Cardiac rehabilitation.

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