Background

To suffer a myocardial infarction is a dramatic even that might influence a human´s quality of life. Women and men´s symptoms may differ and this might delay treatment for women. This gives women a worse prognosis and also affects their quality of life.

Aim

The aim was to describe women´s experiences of quality of life after myocardial infarction.

Method

To study the selected area a literature review was used. It consists of five qualitative and four quantitative studies.

Results

Three themes and six sub-themes emerged. The themes were social well-being, a second chance and uncertainty for the future. The sub-themes were support from family and friends, support from health care, hope and meaning with life, a new start, fear and stress.

Conclusion

The social network increased quality of life in women as it gave feelings of security, love and belonging. The women discovered that life didn´t consist of work only but contained more meaningful things like helping others and do things they didn´t think they could manage anymore. Many of the women experienced decreased quality of life related to fear of suffering a new myocardial infarction. Information and education should be individualized relevant to the patient´s specific situation