Objective To investigate the effect of seven-day progressive functional exercise in patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary stent implantation (PCI). Methods A total of 87 patients with coronary heart disease who underwent PCI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2022 to February 2024 were randomly divided into two groups by single and even number method. 43 patients in the conventional group received routine intervention and 44 patients in the rehabilitation group received routine intervention combined with seven-day progressive functional exercise. After intervention for 7 days, the cardiac function and exercise tolerance of the two groups were compared, and the self-care ability of the two groups was assessed after one month. The quality of life of the two groups was compared after 3 months of follow-up. Results The N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of the rehabilitation group was lower than that of the conventional group at 7 days after surgery, and the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the rehabilitation group were higher than those in conventional group (P ＜ 0.05). 6-minute walk distance (6 MWD), peak ventilation rate and peak oxygen intake were higher than those in the conventional group (P ＜ 0.05). The scores of disease knowledge management, compliance behavior, emergency management, symptom management and daily life management in the rehabilitation group were higher than those in the conventional group one month after surgery (P ＜ 0.05), and the scores of mental health, social ability, independent living ability and physical health in the rehabilitation group were also higher than those in the conventional group after 3 months (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Seven-day progressive functional exercise can effectively improve the exercise endurance and cardiac function of patients with coronary heart disease PCI, and also increase their self-care ability and improve their quality of life.natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of the rehabilitation group was lower than that of the conventional group at 7 days after surgery, and the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the rehabilitation group were higher than those in conventional group (P ＜ 0.05). 6-minute walk distance (6 MWD), peak ventilation rate and peak oxygen intake were higher than those in the conventional group (P ＜ 0.05). The scores of disease knowledge management, compliance behavior, emergency management, symptom management and daily life management in the rehabilitation group were higher than those in the conventional group one month after surgery (P ＜ 0.05), and the scores of mental health, social ability, independent living ability and physical health in the rehabilitation group were also higher than those in the conventional group after 3 months (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Seven-day progressive functional exercise can effectively improve the exercise endurance and cardiac function of patients with coronary heart disease PCI, and also increase their self-care ability and improve their quality of life.