Customer Reviews

One Beat at a Time - Living with Sudden Cardiac Death

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In over 26 years of health care, 21 of them in cardiology, I find Matt's experience full and his insights enriching. He has experienced nearly every situation I have heard patients express and his history of overcoming his fears is strightforward yet compelling.

This book is of great use to patients, their loved ones and health care workers. It chronicles the stages of disbelief, doubt, reluctance, acceptance and finally trust which are common to those who need a life-saving and/or -quality-improving device.

One Beat At A Time: Living With Sudden Cardiac Death by Matthew D Noble is an encouraging autobiographical recollection of the pre-adult, five time cardiac arrest survivor's struggle for life and his driving desire to live. As statistics document, 95% of those who experience cardiac arrest do not survive the attack. Noble's endurance of five before the age of eighteen is quite outstanding -- as is his remembrance of what pains he suffered to survive the seemingly endless days of his youth. One Beat At A Time alerts readers of the difficulties involved with sudden cardiac arrest, and for those reasons is highly recommended to the non-interest general reader, particularly those in greater risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

This is a very inspiring book on many levels. Matt's experiences would be valuable not only to other patients with defibrillators and experiencing the uncertainties that come with cardiac conditions, but literally to anyone willing to read and learn. His wisdom, knowledge of himself and ability to look within and interpret his fears, attitudes and motivations are well beyond what many people achieve in a lifetime. His willingness to admit his shortcomings, face problems head-on and his attitude of thankfulness can benefit anyone willing to learn from him.

This is the "real thing" from someone who has and is living the struggle--better than a self-help book from someone with an academic understanding.

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.

As a cardiac nurse, I feel this book would be very beneficial to cardiac patients that already have a defibrillator or for those that may be a little hesitant about receiving a new device per their doctor's recommendation. I couldn't put the book down! It was very interesting and easy to read, medical knowledge is not a necessity. Mr. Noble truly expresses his inner feelings and thoughts in regards to his emotional and physical struggles. Very moving.

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 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

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

This is a story of a young boy and his family going through life and death moments of their baby boy. Very inspirational and helping other families see that difficult health issues of their children or family members where life and death moments are meet at every turn of their lives. As the family and baby boy, Matt grow the family gets strength each day from the Lord. Baby Matt grows into a strong young man when the doctors had said Matt would not live past 5 yrs. old. Sue and Doug, the parents show the strength that is so unbelievable strong in love, family,believing in the doctors knowledge and the most strong belief in the Lord to get them through each day. Very intense of love, belief in the lord and the doctors. I have never read such an inspiring real life story of a family. God Bless Matt Noble and his family, Sue, Doug and sister Stacy. God be with you daily.