Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of social capital in healthy lifestyle promotion among people with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Background. Social capital, one of the social determinants of health, plays an important role in promoting healthy lifestyle among people. Due to increasing incidence of CAD, research is needed about social capital and its relationship with healthy lifestyle among people with CAD.

Method. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 412 patients with CAD, including 239 men and 173 women, in 4 different wards (i.e. men and women internal wards, Diplomat and VIP wards) in Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center from January 2015 to June 2015. Data were collected by demographic characteristic form, Miyamoto et al. social capital questionnaire and researcher-made questionnaire of healthy lifestyle. Validity and reliability were confirmed by content analysis and Cronbach's alpha methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS with appropriate statistical tests. 

Findings. There was a statistically significant difference between social capital in terms of gender (p=0.015). A statistically ssignificant correlation was found between social capital and healthy lifestyle (r=0.418, P<0.01). The highest correlation was observed between social capital and “health responsibility” component (r=0.384, P<0.01) and the lowest correlation was observed between social capital and “abstain from tobacco and alcohol’’ (r=0.107, P<0.01). Among social capital components, “social relationships” had the highest correlation with healthy lifestyle (r=0.511, P<0.01).

Conclusion. Social capital and its components have positive and important effects on healthy lifestyle and its subscales. It is necessary to emphasize community-based programs, such as strengthening social capital in the society to prevent and control chronic diseases, especially heart disease.