To evaluate perceived social support (PSS) in ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients who report hopelessness. Using a cross-sectional design, 156 patients were screened during their hospitalization for moderate to severe state hopelessness. Twenty patients who reported hopelessness during hospitalization and maintained hopelessness one week after hospital discharge were included. A moderately strong negative correlation was identified between PSS and state hopelessness (r = −0.54, p = .014). PSS was significantly higher in married/partnered patients (26.7 ± 4.85) compared to unmarried/unpartnered patients (18 ± 9.18; t = 2.45, p = .035). Social support may help reduce hopelessness in vulnerable cardiac patients, especially those who are unpartnered. •Perceived social support data may add to our understanding of hopelessness.•State hopelessness is negatively associated with perceived social support.•Lower perceived social support was identified in patients not married/partnered.