Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality across the world. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is frequently performed on patients with cardiac diseases, the outcomes of which are closely associated with lifestyle modification, especially physical exercise. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of aerobic exercises on the cardiac function and inflammatory markers of male patients with heart failure after CABG. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 20 male patients with heart failure after CABG, who were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (10 per each). In total, 24 aerobic exercise sessions were performed in the form of three 60-minutes weekly sessions with 60% -70% maximal heart rate (MaxHR). Cardiac function was evaluated, and the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed in the PRISM software using independent and Paired t-test. Results: After the intervention, left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased in the intervention group, while no changes were observed in the control group (P = 0.0039). However, no significant changes were observed in the diastolic function of the groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). IL-6 had no significant changes in the control group, while it significantly reduced in the intervention group (P = 0.002). Furthermore, the hsCRP significantly decreased in the intervention group (P = 0.036), while no significant changes were observed in the control group in this regard (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, aerobic exercises could improve systolic cardiac function and decrease IL-6 and hsCRP in the patients with cardiac failure. Therefore, these exercises are recommended following CABG.

Background: Heart disease is the most common cause of mortality worldwide, and heart surgery frequently occurs. The results are strongly dependent on lifestyle modification and especially sports exercises. Objectives: In this study, aimed to compare the effect of eight weeks of aerobic and combined training on systolic cardiac function in heart failure patients after coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 30 cardiac patients under CABG surgery at Kermanshah Heart Center were randomly divided into three groups, control, combined, and aerobic training. The protocols of the combined group included two movements of the upper limbs (pectoralis major and deltoid muscles) and two movements of the lower limbs (quadriceps and hamstring muscles) by three sets/10Rep and aerobic group with 60 - 85-minute exercises at 70 - 85% peak HR in three sessions per week for eight weeks. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22, One-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: After eight weeks, Systolic heart function wasn’t increased in the control group (P > 0.05) but was raised in the aerobic and combined training groups (P = 0.0001). There was no significant difference between in two intervention groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Aerobic and combined exercises positively affect systolic cardiac function after coronary artery bypass surgery. Therefore, doing both exercises in these patients is recommended.

Background: Heart failure is common worldwide, and it is still expanding. Psychological factors such as depression are more effective on the consequences of this disease, which is necessary to seek a solution for controlling. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of social problem-solving skills training (SPSST) on depression in patients with heart failure. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on two groups of ten male patients with heart failure in Kermanshah, Iran, randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, ten one-hour sessions of SPSST were done. The Beck depression inventory (BDI-13) was completed three times before, after, and three months after the intervention in both groups. The data were analyzed in SPSS v. 23 with t-test and ANCOVA to compare the groups. Results: There was a significant difference in the depression scores of the intervention group in the post-test (P = 0.000) and follow-up (P = 0.003) than before the intervention. However, there was no significant difference in the depression scores of the control group in all stages (P > 0.05). Conclusions: SPSST could improve the depression of patients with heart failure and prevent its complications, which is recommended for controlling the depression of heart failure patients.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and sleep disturbance and anxiety play a key role in the prognosis of these patients. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of problem-solving skills training (PSST) on the anxiety and sleep disturbance of cardiac patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out in three stages before, after, and during a two-month follow-up after eight PSST sessions (one hour each). Sample population included 20 male patients with heart failure who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery at Imam Ali Hospital of Kermanshah, Iran. The patients were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 10) and control groups (n = 10). Data were collected using Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Data analysis was performed in SPSS using the analysis of covariance to compare the groups. Results: MANCOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test indicated a significant difference in the sleep quality score of the patients at the posttest (P = 0.001) and follow-up (P = 0.017), as well as in the score of anxiety at the posttest (P = 0.01) and after the PSST intervention. However, no significant differences were observed in the scores of the control group at different stages of the study (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, PSST could improve anxiety and sleep quality in patients with heart failure. Therefore, it is recommended that such training be provided to cardiac patients.