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Background: A majority of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) have reduced exercise capacity and do not reach the recommended level of physical activity. A physically active lifestyle is essential to maintain health and counteract acquired cardiovascular disease. This study illuminates aspects that may be relevant for performing physical activity.

Purpose: To describe facilitators and barriers for physical activity in adults with CHD.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were performed individually with fourteen adults (age 19–68 years, women=7) with complex CHD. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Aspects that may enable or inhibit physical activity were found in two domains; Facilitators and Barriers, which both consisted of four categories physical, psychological, psychosocial and environmental aspects (Table 1).

This can be exemplified by the category physical aspects; where persons expressed being limited by the CHD to perform physical activity, but also that improved aerobic fitness allows for being more active, and in the category psychosocial aspects; the person's previous negative experiences and lack of support constituted barriers while encouragement from others and being active as a child facilitated an active lifestyle in adult age.

Conclusion: The present study identifies barriers and facilitators for being physically active in adults living with CHD. It is essential to identify prerequisites for supporting and promoting physical activity and thereby hopefully prevent long-term adverse outcomes. Barriers can potentially be transformed to facilitators through increased knowledge in both the adult with CHD and the healthcare provider.