Background: Thousands of women suffer myocardial infarctions every year. Complications following contribute to stress, which is a risk factor for a new myocardial infarction. Knowledge about stress and its consequences is required in order to support and motivate these women to change their lifestyle and to actively work for secondary prevention.

Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate women's experiences of stress and its causes in the daily life after myocardial infarction.

Method: A literature-based study based on twelve qualitative studies was performed. The articles were analyzed by using a five-step method for analysis of qualitative research. The analysis resulted in four categories and nine subcategories.

Results: The results showed that women experienced stress in relations to fear, increased demands, a changed role and lack of support. The experiences of uncertainty of the fragile body and that life were under threat created fear. Lifestyle changes, economy and the household created stress due to increased demands. Lack of support and the need to abandon an old role and switch to a new one created stress.

Conclusion: Myocardial infarction is a traumatic experience for women and the daily life after is stressful. Nurses play an important role in assisting the women in relieving the stress mainly to providing adequate information and being available for support.