AbstractA community‐based support group has been organized for patients with coronary disease and their families. Participants differed from those in other groups because an extensive amount of time had elapsed between their first coronary event and their becoming active in the group. While many of the issues raised resembled those addressed by similar groups described elsewhere, the support patterns used by participants were also different. Of most significance was the fact that the patients were able to support their spouses and relieve long‐standing anxiety. Implications for public health nursing include the development of groups for these chronically ill patients, focusing on the needs of the spouses, and structuring groups to encourage mutual supp