Objective To explore the multiple mediating effects of self-management and care dependency in the relationship between health literacy and discharge readiness in postoperative patients with type A aortic dissection, and to provide a reference for developing relevant intervention programs. Methods A total of 251 postoperative patients with type A aortic dissection planning for discharge were selected using convenience sampling method, then they were investigated by using the Health Literacy Questionnaire, the Postoperative Self-management Scale of Aortic Dissection, the Care Dependency Scale and the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale. Results The participants scored (138.61±12.03) on discharge readiness, and there were statistically significant correlations among discharge readiness, health literacy, self-management and care dependency (all P<0.05). The mediation model showed that, the direct effect of health literacy on hospital discharge readiness was significant, and health literacy also indirectly affected hospital discharge readiness through self-management (β=0.083, P<0.05) and care dependency (β=0.040, P<0.05). Self-management and care dependency played chain-mediating effect in the relationship between health literacy and discharge readiness (β=0.038, P<0.05), and the total indirect effect accounted for 43.63% of the total effect. Conclusion The readiness for discharge in postoperative patients with type A aortic dissection is at a medium level. Self-management and care dependency play a chain-mediating role in the relationship between health literacy and discharge readiness. Medical staff should pay attention to health literacy education and disease knowledge popularization of patients, reduce care dependency by improving patients′ postoperative self-management ability, and finally enhance their readiness for discharge.