Stroke is the third most common reason for death in the Western World and can lead to long-lasting and severe disabilities. It also generates the most days of nursing at the hospital among the somatic diseases. As more people in the society become older it is expected that more people will get stroke. The aim of this study was to get a deeper understanding for the patient’s situation and how the patient experience living with the disease. Adequate care can be given to these patients with the help of this knowledge. The aim of the study was answered by doing a literature review based on qualitative scientific articles. Categories were identified from the articles and they were the following: emotional consequences, social life, physical limitations and rehabilitation. The result showed that stroke had a large impact on every aspect of the informants´ life. Recurrent feelings were frustration, increased vulnerability and insecurity concerning the future. Feelings of dependency and the loss of control over their bodies were also common. The interaction with people changed. The informants were not able to eat in a socially accepted manner. The reallocation of roles was severe and their social life impaired. Physical limitations made the informants experiencing that they had to use all their power and concentration to do activities. Goals for rehabilitation were set up shortly after falling ill but the hope decreased when they realized how long time it was going to take.