title: The experience of sudden cardiac arrest: becoming reawakened to life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is an event that has tremendous impact on the physical, cognitive and emotional well-being of individuals. Clinical experience and results of various studies indicate that survivors, in addition to having problems related to the underlying disease, have unique needs as a result of the cardiac arrest.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main purpose of this study was to describe survivors' experiences following SCA and resuscitation in order to gain knowledge of the effect of this experience on the needs and concerns of the survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study draws on interpretive phenomenology. The sample was purposive and data were generated through two semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven men aged 50 to 54 years participated. Participants' experience is reflected in the following themes: feelings of insecurity and the need for support; striving to regain former life; emotional challenges; responding to symptoms; and a new view on life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings illustrate complex effects of the cardiac arrest on the survivor's life. Support after hospital discharge needs to be organized in a more structured fashion. The need for security and support was fundamental and should be addressed with continuity and vigilance in health care.
authors.affiliation: Landspitali University Hospital, Eiriksgata, Iceland.
authors.forename: Audur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ketilsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspitali University Hospital, Eiriksgata, Iceland.
authors.forename: Hildur Rut
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Albertsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspitali University Hospital, Eiriksgata, Iceland.
authors.forename: Solveig Helga
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Akadottir
authors.affiliation: University of Iceland, Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, Iceland thoraj@hi.is.
authors.forename: Thora Jenny
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Gunnarsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspitali University Hospital, Eiriksgata, Iceland University of Iceland, Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, Iceland.
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jonsdottir
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001293:Attitude to Death; D064646:Cardiovascular Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Sudden cardiac arrest; experience; nursing interventions; qualitative method; resuscitation