Background: High blood pressure is a globally growing health problem that is largely linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. Cardiovascular diseases are serious complications due to hypertension, however through appropriate lifestyle changes it is possible to cope with the disease and prevent complications. If lifestyle changes do not have a sufficient effect, drugs are needed as part of the treatment. Support from the environment and healthcare can strengthen people's belief in themselves and contribute with increased motivation to improve their lifestyle.

Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate patients experience of self-care in hypertension.

Method: The method used was a literature study based on qualitative research. Nine articles were chosen and analyzed according to Friberg´s (2017) five step model.

Results: The themes discovered were; to handle their illness and emotions associated with the disease. The result revealed that patients experienced many obstructive factors for self-care. Lack of knowledge and motivation, doubts about self-ability, the importance of the environment to get motivation, and the desire for more support from the health care system emerged.

Conclusion: The patients felt that there were external and internal barriers that affected the compliance of self-care. Getting support from their surroundings was found to create good conditions for self-care. Patients who lacked motivation expressed that increased knowledge of their illness and understanding of treatment were motivating factors that the nurse could provide them.