This study aimed to explore and identify the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and perceived social support among Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in mainland China.

A descriptive correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 200 Chinese patients with CHD recruited from the cardiac outpatient departments of two university-affiliated hospitals in Xi’an, China. The Chinese Mandarin versions of the Short-form 36-item health survey (CM:SF-36) and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (CM:MOS-SSS) were administered to assess HRQoL and perceived social support.

The results indicated that Chinese patients with CHD reported a poorer HRQoL and lower social support compared with their Western and Hong Kong counterparts. Multiple regression analyses identified four significant predictors of deteriorated physical health (increasing age, co-morbidity with heart failure or hypertension, and smoking status) and two significant predictors of poor mental health (co-morbidity with heart failure and perceived social support).

Health status and social support in Chinese people with CHD should be routinely assessed and, where feasible, addressed through appropriate individually tailored interventions.