Patients experiences of cardiac rehabilitation effects

Cardiac rehabilitation is used for preventing disease progression, improving quality of life, reducing disabilityand mortality in cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies mentioned cardiac rehabilitation effects on patients, butthe structure of its effects is not absolutely defined. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the patient’s experiencesof cardiac rehabilitation effects. It was a descriptive phenomenological study. Its participants were patients with cardiovascular accidents, participatingin cardiac rehabilitation programs in Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center in 2006 selected by purposedsampling. Deep semi structured interview with 8 participants was done and data were analyzed by Collaizi method. Four obtained themes were "now I know", "to be able", "well being" and "healthy family". the structure of rehabilitation effects reflected in knowledge, physical and psychosocial aspects that improveparticipants and their family''s quality of life.