Background: Every year 10,000 people in Sweden suffer from a cardiac arrest. The chance to survive increases and also the lifespan. Having suffered a cardiac arrest means a change in everyday life, both emotionally and physically. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe adult people’s experiences after surviving a cardiac arrest. Method: A qualitative literature-based study. An analysis of nine qualitative articles was carried out. Results: Three main themes emerged; near death-experience, a changed body and to get a functioning everyday. The results showed that life after the cardiac arrest meant a major transformation. To suffer a near-death experience affected the people and there was a reprioritisations of everyday life. It was found that bodily changes created an insecurity and it was perceived as difficulty when the energy was not enough. Conclusion: People who survived a cardiac arrest are in need of support from the health care.