Objective   To develop coronary artery disease self-management scale and evaluate its reliability and validity.    Methods   The item pool was based on the theory of chronic disease self-management and the evidence of behavioral medical science related to coronary heart disease. Firstly

the preliminary scale was developed through specialist evaluation; then it was reviewed by 10 patients and specialists again; At last

209 patients were surveyed and based on the pilot data

a series of statistic analysis was conducted such as factor analysis

correlation analysis

etc. To deduce the items to 27 and then a comprehensive set of psychometric tests was performed on the final version.    Results   Psychometric tests with the application of stringent criteria confirmed the test-retest reliability (ICC=0.910)

internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.913)

criterion-related validity (r=0.271-0.573)

construct validity (factor analysis confirms the hypothesis of the scale)

responsiveness (t=9.011

P0.01) and acceptability (response rate 93.4%

effective rate 97.2%).     Conclusion   The coronary artery disease self-management scale is a practicable and scientific instrument that measures seven important dimensions of self-management skills in patients with coronary heart disease. It can be used in the second prevention practice of coronary heart disease.