Patterns of perception of health in cardiac patients

Thirty-seven patients hospitalized for cardiac disorders were classified by cluster analysis in four groups based on their patterns of perception of health during the first year of recovery. Striking differences were found in the four patterns obtained. The groups were compared for variables of demographic background, physical health, and psychological state. Significant differences were found between clusters in pre- and post-hospitalization employment, alcoholism, state anxiety in the CCU and ICU, and number of days in CCU. No differences were found for measures of physical health.