Aim. This study was aimed to assess the effect of self-care educational program on quality of life in patients with hypertension.

Background. Hypertension is a major health problem due to complications and high mortality rate. It causes problems in the ability of patients for self-care and affect their quality of life.

Method. This clinical trial study with control group was conducted in Mahmud-Abad Hospital affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. In this study, 70 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected through convenience sampling and to prevent information contamination, they were allocated to groups according to whether they refer to hospital even or odd days. Before and three months after intervention, data were collected by quality of life questionnaire SF-36 in both groups. Patients in control group received routine education. Patients in intervention group participated in three face to face self-care education sessions (each session lasted 20 minutes) and received educational package including instruction booklet and CD. Data were analyzed by using Independent t-test, Paired t test, Chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test through SPSS version 21.

Findings. The results showed that before intervention, there was not a statistically significant difference between two groups regarding quality of life, but after 3 months there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001). Also, in the intervention group, there were statistically significant differences regarding the total score of quality of life and all related dimensions, before and three months after education (P<0.0001).

Conclusion. Self-care education can improve quality of life among patients with hypertension. It is recommended that health care providers, particularly nurses, implement these educational programs for improving the quality of life of patients with hypertension.