Background:

Myocardial infarction is one of the most common life threatening diseases in Sweden. Those who suffer have many complications both physical and emotional. In effort to help patients with the rehabilitation nurses need to have knowledge about symptoms, strategies and patients sadness.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to illustrate patients' experiences to carry on living after a myocardial infarction.

Method:

A literature-based method based on ten articles with a quality approach was chosen.

Results:

The analysis revealed three categories and eight subcategories: The new me, A second chance, To move on. To not be able to live life to the fullest because of tiredness caused by fatigue created problems for patients after a myocardial infarction. At the same time they felt happiness surviving and each minute where valuable. The nurse played an important role under the first year of the recovery and it was important to receive right information during the rehabilitation process. It was an important goal for the patients to survive the first anniversary after the myocardial infarction.

Conclusion:

Fatigue influenced their lives in a negative way and made it difficult to manage. Nurses' awareness of fatigue and how to overcome it was mostly required from patients. Patients had wishes to access information that's easy to understand and strategies that they could use in daily life. Mentors were very helpful and a complement in the rehabilitation process.