Aim. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life and return to work in patients with Acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Background. ACS is one of the major cardiovascular diseases that can affects the patients’ quality of life and return to work.

Method. This was a clinical trial study conducted on 50 patients with ACS admitted to the coronary care units of the selected hospital of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2013-2014. The participants were randomly assigned to control (n=25) or experimental  group (n=25). The experimental group received phase 1 and 2 cardiac rehabilitation program, however, the control group received usual care. The data was collected via demographic questionnaire and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, before and one month after intervention. Return to work  was estimated through questions  and then was compared in both groups.

Findings. There was no statistically significant difference between experimental and control groups in terms of demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors. After intervention, in the experimental group, the mean scores in all domains of quality of life increased significantly (p<0.0001). In the control group, the mean score of quality of life, before and after the intervention was not significantly different. A statistical significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in all domains of quality of life, except for general health and social function, in favor of the experimental group. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the duration of  return to work.

Conclusion. The results of this study showed that cardiac rehabilitation program can improve the quality of life in patients with ACS.