Background: A cardiac arrest is a traumatic experience. During the dramatic event of a cardiac arrest the focus is to keep the person alive with minimal brain damage. Statistics shows that more people are surviving cardiac arrest and 90 % of the survivors return home without major brain-damage. However previous research shows that survivors struggle with anxiety and depression post-arrest. This leads to a gap in knowledge concerning what makes a good recovery. Nurses have a responsibility to promote physical and mental wellbeing. Therefore, it is important for nurses to carry the knowledge of the experience of recovering from a cardiac arrest.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of recovery after surviving cardiac arrest.

Method: This study was performed using a literature-based method. Articles were searched using databases CINAHL and PubMed and resulting in 9 qualitative articles analysed according to Friberg´s 5-step model.

Results: Three themes emerged: lifestyle changes after cardiac arrest, need for support after cardiac arrest and the meaning of life after cardiac arrest. Based on the themes, eight sub-themes were identified: new routines in everyday life, to get to know a new self, to get an understanding for the event, to increase insecurity in oneself and family, access to good coping strategies, to return to work, to be around loved ones and to perform their dreams.

Conclusion: Changes in everyday life and existential questions are hard to handle alone after cardiac arrest. To ease the recovery after cardiac arrest persons need support from healthcare systems and family.