Objectives. To examine the dimensionality, structure, and reliability of the HADS among female cardiac patients. Design. Data were collected by self‐administered questionnaires at two times ‐ admission to hospital and at 2‐month follow‐up. Method. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the dimensionality and structure of the HADS. Internal consistency was assessed by computing Cronbach alpha. Pearson product‐moment correlation coefficients were calculated to assess test‐retest reliability. Results. A two‐factor model, in which the subscales were permitted to correlate, was found to provide a good fit to the scale's 14 items compared to single factor and orthogonal two‐factor models. These two factors explained 41.4% of the total variance. The anxiety and depression subscales were moderately correlated ( r = .60), with good internal consistency and test‐retest reliability found for the subscales and total HADS scores. Conclusions. These results provide support for the HADS as a reliable measure for the assessment of anxiety and depression symptomatology among female cardiac patients.