Objective To evaluate the effect of a nurse-supported patient self-managed home-based cardiac rehabilitation programme for promoting quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease. Methods 167 eligible patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=83) and a control group(n=84). Patients in the intervention group joined a 12-week nurse-supported patient self-managed cardiac rehabilitation programme that included medication management, angina management, physical exercise, smoking cessation, dietary management, and family support besides the conventional care. Chinese Version SF-36 was used to assess the quality of life. Data collection was conducted at programme entry, programme exit, and three months follow-up. Results On completion of the programme, patients in the intervention group demonstrated significantly better improvements in six SF-36 quality of life domains, including general health, physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, mental health, and vitality. The effect on physical functioning and role-physical maintained at three months follow-up.Conclusions A nurse-supported patient self-managed home-based cardiac rehabilitation intervention has a positive impact on the quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease.