IN Moon Township Spring 2020 | Page 2

Jimmie stayed in the game College football referee Jimmie Burks got a surprise at his yearly sports physical. The doctor heard an abnormal heartbeat and ordered an EKG. “I had no idea that I had any heart issues,” said Jimmie. “And as a football referee, I need to keep moving.” As a 54 year-old single dad, he also needs to keep up with his daughter, who plays basketball in middle school. Dr. Amit Thosani diagnosed Jimmie with atrial fi brillation, a type of irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) that could increase his risk of heart failure or stroke. At Allegheny General Hospital, Jimmie had a cardioversion procedure, a precise electric shock to reset his heart beat. But the arrhythmia returned. Dr. Thosani then used zero-fl uoroscopy ablation, delivering carefully targeted, energy pulses, to quiet the heart’s rhythm. With 3-D mapping and real-time visuals, the team could minimize Jimmie’s exposure to potentially dangerous X-rays. “I’m thankful they could fi x my heart,” said Jimmie. “Now I can be there for my job and for my daughter. I’m all she has. I’m very happy to know I’ll be with her, on and off the basketball court.” 5.3 MILLION APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF AMERICANS THAT HAVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.* 1 # “I’m so grateful to be here.” JIMMIE BURKS, CARDIAC PATIENT CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE U.S. IS HEART DISEASE** *https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to- remember/2019/02/15/14/39/aha-2019-heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics **heart.org/en/news/2019/01/31/cardiovascular-diseases-a_ ect-nearlyhalf- of-american-adults-statistics-show