An uptake of emerging evidence contributes to increasing survival rates following a sudden
cardiac arrest. Life after survival often involves a myriad of altered physical, mental, cognitive,
and social functions for both survivors and their families. The study purpose was to aggregate
published qualitative evidence to yield an understanding of survivors' and family members' life
experiences following cardiac arrest. Using metasummary, 17 international published studies
were selected. The extraction, editing, and abstraction of findings from 230 adult participants
resulted in eight topical categories including: acknowledging life has changed, confronting
mortality, regaining former life, interacting within the family, interacting within the broader
social context, involving healthcare providers, evolving health status, and enacting a new life.
The two themes were seeking wholeness and being connected. Healthcare providers are urged to
prioritize the development and implementation of resourced individualized discharge plans to
promote continuity and comprehensiveness of care for survivors and families.
