Background:

Heart failure is a chronic disease that usually is associated with the elderly patient. Heart failure also affect people in the middle-age but most studies have been done on the elderly patients' experience of living with heart failure.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to describe middle-aged patients' experience of living with heart failure.Method: The method used was a literature review which included both qualitative and quantitative articles published between 1999 - 2014.

Result:

The result showed four categories, Altered existence, Uncertainty, Changed life situation and Present and future.

Conclusion:

The presented results show life changes for patients with heart failure in middle age, both physical and mental. Patients could no longer handle their daily lives without rest or help. Vacuuming or going to the store to buy groceries can be the most physically demanding activity during the day. Many of the patients felt depressed.