Cardiac-Diseases Books

What an ordeal Matthew has overcome, he shows remarkable faith.
From childhood to adult he has "watched" those heartbeats, because, for him, they often go awry.

Now he sells the devices that help stop sudden cardiac death. A real testament to someone using their own product!

If you liked this book, try another on the same subject, written from the perspective of a spouse (me!) of a sudden cardiac arrest survivor. It's called A HEART TOO GOOD TO DIE: A shocking story of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

I am a Pacemaker/ICD nurse and was recommended this book by one of our reps. I LOVED this book...and read it in a day. I can't wait to share it with my husband and teenage sons, my friends and co-workers, and our church youth group leader. I will definintely recommend it to my patients...and plan on purchasing extra copies just to share.

Matt tells his story with so much clarity...I just felt like I knew him! There is never a hint of self-pity, instead there was a focus on how God has a plan for our lives and by releasing our own plans and fears to God, we can find hope. His faith in Christ is presented in such a way that it couldn't help inspiring believers and nonbelievers alike.

"One Beat at a Time"--simply put is riveting book. The author grabs the reader and tells an incredible story of hardship, uncertainty, and leaves the reader with questioning themselves: what is really important in life?
The manner in which this story is unraveled reveals insight into what it would be like to live each day as if it were your last.
As a physician, this book has provided insight into the daily thoughts, feelings and fears of patients that have similar conditions (implanted defibrillators and being at risk for sudden cardiac death). What is striking is the positive attitude and fortitude the author incorporated into his writing. One cannot help but empathize for him and his family.
I would highly recommend this book to patients, family members, medical care workers and everyone looking to put their own lives into perspective. After reading this book, I feel I learned more about the vulnerability of life and the need to prioritize the way I live.
Without revealing too much, my favorite parts were about how these events in his life psychologically impacted the people around him.
Secondly, one part of the book that struck a chord with me was on Page 34. He states that "None of us lives the perfect life.....we all do things in life that depart from the choices expected.... This part of the book really go to me in that, sometimes people are lead to believe that wrongs committed are reasons for current misfortunes especially in circumstances that are beyond control such as medical events. In my life, this dealt with these feelings I had about an illness that occurred in my mother when I was a child that I felt I caused by my wrong actions.
As a cardiologist "in-training" I verify that this book is very accurate. As a person and a family member, I recommend this book to anyone to "put their own life in perspective".

Thomas E Vanhecke, MD
William Beaumont Hospital

I read this book in 3 1/2 hours. I was hooked from the beginning acknowledgments to the last printed word. I literally could not put it down until I had devoured every word. It was as if Matthew Noble was in my living room telling me the story of his life...and I wanted to hear about it! I was moved to tears at times, laughter at times and always inspired. I realized that my few "struggles" in life could in no way compete with the daily chore of "living" that Matthew had to deal with every single day of his life. He is an inspiration to behold and a man filled with courage, strength, and devotion. I recommend this book as a "MUST READ" to anyone and everyone...period. I promise it will make you evaluate your own life as it did for me. I want to thank Matthew for sharing his amazing life with me and with the world. I look forward to reading anything else he may be working on.

I enjoyed Matthews story of his personal struggle and survival with an early implanted ICD. He has lived with his for over 10 years, and it gives hope to those like me who have just received theirs. I had a massive heart attack at 40, and my ICD gives me and my family the peace of mind to go on living, just as Matthew talks about. This book is good for your soul.

I had a sudden cardiac arrest in March of this year. It took the EMTs 21min and 6 shocks to get my heart beat back. Miraculously, I made a full physical and cognitive recovery. Another part of the healing process was of course with my family. They endured something which was very difficult for me to understand. I was unconscious, on breathing machines and sedated. Reading this book completed the picture for me. It allowed me to experience the event from their perspective. Everyone in my family has read this book. As a result we have had a lot of open discussion about what happened and how it has effected all of us. This has been very important for us all to heal and move forward with the blessing we received with my recovery.

Jeremy's novel is a powerful account of Carolyn's sudden illness and the road to recovery. His description turn the account into a page turner and the terrific outcome with Carolyn full recovery. I found the emotional elements very provoking and reminded me on how much we take for granted good health in life and the fragility of life itself. For someone looking to understand the human element of SCA this is provides a lot of background.

In "A Heart Too Good To Die" by Jeremy Whitehead, one is taken into a first person account of the shock and disbelief experienced by the Australian narrator as he learns of his American bride's potentially fatal sudden cardiac arrest. You feel the pain and fright in this very personal, very poignant true story. Although one knows that Carolyn survives [see Foreword], the opening chapters had my heart racing as the story unfolds, the characters are introduced and the horror and shock of the initial incident resounds throughout her IBM staffers and attendees at the conference and to her new husband on the other side of the world from his home and on the other side of the country from his wife. The author's love and adoration of his wife are evident on every page and on every page you are there with them, hoping and praying for a happy ending. I highly recommend this book for all to read. It is one of the finest demonstrations on how to use the computer as a personal research tool I have ever read and it will educate you and your loved ones to the hidden killer among us.

What a compelling read! This book offers story and learning all in the same package. The story will touch your heart - the vibrant young woman who survives an unthinkable tragedy. She is supported by an adoring husband who, shaken to his core by the near-death events, emerges as her champion and mainstay. The learning comes as insight into the fragility of life, the uncertainty of science and the labyrinth of American healthcare as seen through the eyes of an Aussie. But even more than being just a story or insight into science, this is a book of hope, great love and awareness. It is a call to know more about sudden cardiac arrest because we never know when we might be called to be heros.

As I sat down to read this book, I thought I would spend 15 minutes on it, but instead it captured me and I couldn't put it down! For anyone who knows of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest, OR anyone who has almost lost a loved one to ANY sudden, unexplained medical occurence or accident. I laughed and I cried...sometimes on the same page!!! A must read.

Dr. Lesser is head and shoulders above the rest of the medical crowd and this book is another manifestation of this fact. It can be a bit dry at times, but the message is huge and was powerfuly important to me: my sporadic chest tightness/pains were NOT the onset of cardiac trouble though my idiot local quack thought so and the cardio guy he sent me to practically told me I'd die of a heart attack if I DIDN'T get an angiogram in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. IDIOTS, well actually not idiots, if they don't induce a stroke and kill you then, then they will likely find a bit of plaque, enough to justify a stent and then WHAM you are in the system for life, baby, and you can pay, pay, pay.

My chest tightness/pains: it was emotional and sometimes delayed muscular after yoga -- well after, like the next day. Dang, the medical industrial complex lost a good customer, they coulda milked me for 30+ years. What dicks! Dr. Lesser gives the facts so you can help heal yourself.

I read this book in the public library this past week and I was fascinated by the knowledge that I learned. It is a wonderful book. I suggest that everyone read this book. It's well written and very informative.

Geet this book! It is well written, to the point, very informative and written by a medical expert known worldwide.

What can I say -- but it's GOOD. It's informative, informational, well written, and presented in such a way thatanyone can understand the information. Read it, enjoy it, keep it, treasure it. It's worth it.

Dr. Lesser is just a special kind of author! He's not just a doctor who can write. And he's not a writer who happens to be an M.D. He is a thoroughly competent writer, physician, and broadcaster.All libraries ought to consider themselves fortunate to be able to include Dr. Gershon Lesser's books GROWING YONGER and WHEN YOU HAVE CHEST PAIN in their collection. This is a must read for anyone who is health conscious.

I purchassed this textbook to prepare for the IBHRE exam. It provided an complete and excellent overview of pacemakers, ICD's, and cardiac resynchronization therapy and served as my main source of study for the exam. The textbook was well written and well-referenced. I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about cardiac device rhythm therapy.

This book stands out as truly comprehensive with excellent background information, science, and truly up-to-date patient management details. The DVD is a great addition. Yes, it IS fun to read. If you need to know it, it is in the book!

This reviewer is co-author of Chapter 1. His biased judgment, as someone who began implanting pacemakers in 1961 and defibrillators in the early 1980's, is that this book is a great one.

The book does have some word abbreviation errors that should be listed for the reader.

In Chapter 1 the legends for figures 1-17 and 1-19 had the incorrect abbreviation msec substituted somewhere in the publishing process for the word microseconds that was spelled out in the manuscript. Also, in the legend for figure 1-22 the terms 10 msec and 500 msec were in the publishing process substituted for the 10 microseconds and 500 microseconds that were spelled out in the manuscript.

The same set of corrections applies to the DVD ROM presentation of Chapter 1 figure legends.

Similarly during the publishing process the incorrect abbreviation "mF" was substituted for the manuscript's "microfarads" on page 29 of Chapter 1 near the bottom of the left hand column.

The book and DVD ROM do present highly useful clinical and background information bearing on treatment of cardiac rhythm problems with electrical devices. These are classical pacemakers, defibrillators, resynchronization devices, and combinations thereof. The information - and its organization in the book and in one's mind - are important for physicians who implant electrical devices. The information will also be important for other medical and physical science persons who are concerned with cardiac rhythm, sudden death, and congestive heart failure problems.

The book - because it is both intellectually satisfying and practical - is fun to read, bits at a time.

This book, Contains all the main topic in pacing and ICD. included all the main studis in this area. Until this book it was very dificult to find this topic. so that clear, well writen, and whit the main autors in each topic. In this moment I think that is the best book in this area.

This is an excellent resource for advanced hemodynamic monitoring. I recommend for any ICU / critical care RN. I am in nurse anesthesia school and I was supposed to be familiar with this before I got here. It's very comprehensive, not too difficult to understand, but not "PA catheters for Dummies" either. I will refer to this book often.

This book is great. It covers the basics and helps the reader to understand how to analyze this information.

This book has been invaluable in explaining ALL the different parts of hemodynamics and the interplay between the characters (presure, flow, etc). I credit this book for helping me pass the CCRN. It will help you analyze waveforms and predict outcomes to attain the best clinical outcome for your patients. Truly a wonderful investment.

I currently work in a Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care setting, and have found this book to be among the best hemodynamic texts available. Its comprehensive presentation of anatomy, technology, and pathophysiology in relation to hemodynamics is arranged very intelligently. What I enjoyed most about this book though was its readability. The language is straightforth and simple without losing any of its meaning, which has lent to its popularity among nursing students performing clinical rotations in the unit. Friends of mine who have borrowed this book invariably purchase their own copy afterwards. It is that good! I reccomend this book to anyone in a field where hemodynamics hold importance.

This book is a really good source for all types of surgeon starting with residents up to consultants. It has a very simplified way to make the reader understand the information without making it superficial. it's really a great source which must be owned by cardiac surgeons at all levels

This book offers those interested in cardiac surgery a wonderful source of information. It is presented in such a manner that it is educational and understandible for those just beginning medical school through those who are active attendings of cardiac surgery. A book that should be on everyones shelf, or better yet.. open on their desk!

In my opinion, what the "Harrison's textbook of internal medicine" means to an internist,so does Edmunds' textbook for a cardiovascular surgeon...You can find everything about adult cardiac surgery comprehensively. Thank you Mr.Edmunds!

Fortunately, more and more people are learning about the value of AEDs in saving lives. "Challenging Sudden Death" is essential reading for members of any community interested in starting an early defibrillation program. The basic steps needed to launch a successful program are outlined very simply in this book. Having launched a successful AED program, Bartholomew County HeartSavers, Inc. has a "first step" piece of advice for other communities: read "Challenging Sudden Death".

This book impressed me beyond words. I highly recommend this reading for anyone who values life in general. It is very easy to read as well as succinct in subject matter. My hat goes off to the editor who compiled this information.

Challenging Sudden Death is extremely thorough with a step by step approach that addresses every question or concern that one might have about implementing an AED program in their community. In my research for resources I feel assured this book should be referred to as the "Gold Standard" for implementing an AED program in all communities. It is indeed, a wonderful tool you've designed and I strongly recommend anyone interested in implementing AEDs in their community to read this book.

Thank you again, for developing such a wonderful and needed tool. Success in saving lives and making a difference in our community will be achieved once we implement the model so expertly outlined in your book.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Mayeaux Program Director

Dr. Chuck Wyatt Medical Director, Acadiana AED Task Force

Very well written, very well organized . Although written for professionals, Dr. Dornelas' book is readily understood by an educated patient, who in this case, is my husband. He would recommend her book to all professionals who have patients with cardiac issues and patients who wish to better understand the psychotherapeutic milieu, which they have entered.

This book offers tremendous insight into the psychological issues cardiac patients face. Although it appears to be written primarily for medical practitioners, I found it very useful in understanding the problems my father faced during the aftermath of bypass surgery. It would also very helpful for both cardiac patients and their family members to read. The author had done a good job of dealing with the issues surrounding this largely ignored part of cardiac recovery and treatment. I think if I was a nurse treating cardiac patients, it would be a must read.

Few health practitioners take into account the psychological effects of heart disease. "Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients: Behavioral Cardiology in Practice" is a scholarly examination of what both mental and physical health practitioners should take into account when treating a patient with heart problems. Also touching upon elements such as sex, obesity, drugs, and more, Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients is a thorough guide on the topic. "Psychotherapy with Cardiac Patients: Behavioral Cardiology in Practice" is highly recommended for community library psychology collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I've been mostly disappointed by the Case Review Series. One exception had been the Ultrasound book, which was above average for the group.

Dr. Reddy's book is another pleasant surprise.

The book arrived with several others a few months ago and I accidently discarded it along with the shipping box into my recycling bin, thinking it was a catalogue. The book is very thin (less than 1 cm thick), although it actually has a reasonable page count.

I later recovered the book, disappointed that I'd spent so much on a pamphlet, and stuck it on the bottom of my stack of books to get around to reading.

Now, I'm very happy I saved it for last. After completing this book I feel fairly confident that I will at least understand the anatomy of any major cardiac lesion/anomaly presented at the ABR exams. Dr. Reddy's text ties together many of the cases seen in Pediatrics and Chest and provides reasonable multimodality support for these entities. It's also up to date, unlike many of the other Case Review Series, and the image quality is excellent.

The book also duplicates many of the cases on the UCSF Cardiac MRI CD-ROM.

Now, Dr. Yousem, please take a close look and consider remodeling the other books in the series after this text.

The Case Review Series may be the most useful books I have used during my residency. They have been enormously helpful in preparing for boards and just learning cases. This cardiac addition is no exception. I'm a little disappointed by the publisher going to a thinner stock paper (several times I accidently turned 2 pages which spoiled the next case) but other than that it's very deserving of being in the series.

How the series could go from an A to A+ (are you listening, Dr. Yousem?): make the discussions more succinct with rapid-fire headings like Findings, Diagnosis, Differential, Key Points (i.e. - what a board examiner might be looking for). We can get the rest from our other textbooks. My thanks to Drs. Reddy, Yousem and all the other CRS authors.

as a clinical educator I appreciate the comprehensive approach. This book is good for the beginner and expert alike as the topics covered not only lay the foundation for the novice, but offer advanced knowledge for those who have many years of experience.

An incredibly well written and expertly researched book!