This qualitative study examined women's learning in making healthy lifestyle changes after a cardiac event. The study examined how and what learning women identified as important to learning behavioral change and the meaning making experiences that influenced changes in self-perception and outlook. The study also focused on the role of the cardiac support group in supporting these changes. The purpose of the study was to understand, from the perspective of the women themselves, the tools, resources and support accessed as well as processes utilized to make lifestyle changes. The study includes recommendations to educators and healthcare providers interested in facilitating lifestyle change for women with heart disease in a way that is meaningful and supportive and grounded in the participants' experiences. This study used data from autobiographical vignettes, questionnaires, in-depth interviews and critical incidents. This study design explored the role of learning and support groups and their application in one's life after a traumatic event. The findings identified what experiences, learning styles, resources, and how reflection helped facilitate change. The findings also indicated which supports and barriers to learning were commonly encountered. In addition, the framework of women's development was applied to assess ways of knowing and how that correlated to resources accessed and barriers experienced in making lifestyle change. The key recommendation is that supports and resources for women after a cardiac event must be varied and accessible based on learning style and preferences and readiness. These supports included the cardiac support group which supported learning as more importantly was instrumental in development of identity. The study emphasizes the variety of resources and experiences that women utilize in learning, how they apply them initially, and continue to learn after a cardiac event. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]