Abstract: Objective To explore the scientific methods to effectively improve the quality of life, cardiac function, negative emotions and self-care ability of patients with chronic heart failure, so as to provide basis for clinical nursing. Methods A total of 72 patients with chronic heart failure admitted to the Department of Cardiology of Suixi County Hospital, from January 2019 to March 2020, were randomly divided into control group and observation group, 36 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing. The observation group received cognitive behavioral intervention based on information-motivation-behavioral skills(IMB) model on the basis of routine nursing. ZUNG self-rating anxiety scale(SAS), self-rating depression scale(SDS), minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire(MLWHFQ), exercise of self-care agency scale(ESCA), and 6-minute walking test were used to measure the levels of anxiety and depression, quality of life, self-care ability and heart function. Results Before the intervention, there were no significant difference in anxiety and depression score, quality of life score, self-care ability score and 6-minute walking distance between the two groups(all P>0.05). The scores of anxiety and depression in the intervention group,(36.84±6.57) and(38.00±4.66), were significantly lower than those in the control group,(43.65±7.93) and(47.10±6.39). The scores of quality of life in the intervention group(47.66±7.87)were significantly lower than those in the control group(59.39±7.63), with statistically significant significance(P<0.05). After intervention, the self-care ability score(109.53±12.29)of the observation group was higher than that of the control group( 99.41±12.51), and the 6-minute walking distance[(287.47±51.68) m] of the observation group was higher than that of the control group[(235.78±49.54)m], the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05). Conclusion Using cognitive behavioral intervention based on IMP model can significantly improve the heart function and negative emotions of patients with chronic heart failure, improve self-care ability and quality of life, which is worthy of clinical application and family nursing promotion.