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Background: Regardless of age and health, anyone can suffer a cardiac arrest and only about 10-35 percent of the victims survive. A cardiac arrest can have several negative psychological, physical and cognitive consequences that can be life changing. This requires insight regarding the patient's life changing in order to facilitate and increase quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore patients' experience after surviving a cardiac arrest. Method: This literature review with a descriptive research design included 10 articles with a qualitative approach. The search for the articles was made in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO. SBU review template was used for the quality review. The results were analyzed according to Forsberg and Wengström. Main results: The result was divided into four categories: (1) Life changes, (2) existential questions, (3) lack of information and support and (4) gratitude. A majority of the participants experience multiple life changing factors, including physical, psychological, cognitive and social. Suffering a cardiac arrest can raise several existential questions such as the meaning of life. Patients expressed a lack of information and a desire for more support. The majority are grateful to be alive.  Conclusion: Suffering a cardiac arrest affected the patients both negatively and positively. The negative aspects were several life changes, such as physical, psychological, cognitive and social. Lack of information and support were also two points that were repeated. By creating a person-centered care, providing customized information and providing support to the patient, the nurse can reduce the patient's suffering and increase their quality of life.