The aim of the present study was to illustrate how a patient with a myocardial infarction history may experience current anxiety. We conducted the assessment using a phenomenological method. The participant was a 62-year old man, chronically ill due to two myocardial infarctions and heart failure. Five categories emerged from the data: distress, worthlessness, insecurity, indifference, and lack of strength, illustrating feelings embedded in the current anxiety. These feelings relate to past and present experiences as well as to an insecure future. The findings are not generalizable in a statistical manner, but they are an illustration of the importance of identifying a cardiac patient’s current anxiety from a holistic perspective, in order to understand what is occurring emotionally and to understand the need for emotional support. Qualities in the caring relationship may create possibilities for this patient to receive and perceive emotional support. © 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Part of Springer Nature.